*Update* WE GOT A PIP (read last post)

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Today is Day 21 for the fertile hatching eggs under my two broody silkies. i'm not hearing any peeping. i candled at Day 7, then not since. Not sure if i should chance candling now.

i've incubated eggs, but never had a hen do it herself. i'm wondering, when the chicks start to pip, will the hen stay sitting on the eggs? If so, how do they get out of the shell with a chicken on top of them? i realize hens have been doing it themselves for ages. Just wondering how this all works.

Hope there are some baby chicks in those eggs. Would be terrible if my broodies have been sitting all this time for nothing.

 

[newnanchic]

Think postive and say here chickie here chickie and maybe they will want to come see their new mama real soon!!!!

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I've had lots of broodies hatch chicks ...she knows what she doing...trust her.......she moves alittle on top of them, she knows when they are hatching...

 

[BamaChicken]

I had a silkie recently hatch some about fours days late. The weather has been cold here so I'm sure that made the delay. Be patient.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i couldn't wait, so pulled a couple eggs out and quickly candled. Two i couldn't tell, very dark except for a large air cell. However one definitely had movement. Decided to not touch the other 6 and let nature take it's course.

You're right Bamachicken, with the cold, it could be delaying things. Now that the two hens and their eggs are in the garage, with a heat lamp over them (up high, just to cut the chill) maybe things will move along.

Fingers crossed for some showgirl babies!

 

[BamaChicken]

Well let us know when you get a chick.

 

[marie_martin]

My broody is on day 20 today and I am wondering if her hatch will be delayed due to lower temps too. I have candled them recently and there were live moving chicks that looked pretty close to done but who knows. I will candle tonight if it stops raining long enough. It is so messy here. If not it will be tomorrow. Good luck with your hatch and keep us posted.

Marie

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

i have my camera right next to the cage, and pictures will be up moments after i see a sign of life!

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Day 22 - Decided to candle the eggs for signs of life. Two were definitely empty, one had a very large air cell taking up most of the egg, with an irregular dark spot. Another was cold, probably from being outside of the moms, and nothing moving inside. So took those away (hope i did not make a mistake).

BUT - one egg chirped when i picked it up!

The other six, not sure. They looked fully developed, but could not see anything moving. Better to err on the side of caution.

So, we should have at least one chick soon!

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Day 23

WE GOT A PIP ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Just went out to check on the two moms, and they were shuffling around and scooping eggs back under themselves. One egg has a huge pip and was chirping like mad.

We're gonna have a baby!