What is considered day 1

[conroy]

I have some eggs that are under our broody hen....my question is this...they were layed 23 days ago but weren't put under the hen until like 20 days ago.... when do you start the countdown...from the day layed? or the day it was out under the hen?

 

[LaurenM23]

I would say under the hen, since that is when development would begin.

 

[conroy]

ok thanks... I have been counting from when they were layed and I thought i was on day 23...so I can calm down a little lol

 

[LaurenM23]

It is said that you can store hatching eggs for about 10 days, then incubate or place them under a broody, so I would imagine that regardless of your method, the clock doesn't start until heat and humidity are applied. Good luck with the hatch!!! What variety(ies) are we looking at?

 

[conroy]

Quote:
Cuckoo Marans... I am very excited...the hen actually ate one last week... I guess it wasn't good... we only have 2 left out of the original 4... I am so excited

 

[LaurenM23]

I am working on my second hatch of Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks. My first was horrible...only 3 out of 18, then the third died within about 14 hours. THEN this weekend, our Jack Russell Terror broke through two gates and wire and killed my two chicks. I am a horrible "hen".

 

[Ridgerunner]

Right. From the day they went under the broody hen. And remember for your countdown, it takes 21 full days of development. An egg does not have a full day's development the day you put it under the broody hen. It has one full day's development 24 hours after it starts. A whole lot of people get confused on this and think they have a problem when actually everything is going great. An easy way to remember it for chickens is that they are due to hatch on the day of the week you started them. If you set them on a Tuesday, they should hatch on a Tuesday.

Good luck! Looking forward to pictures.

 

[conroy]

Thanks guys...s o hopefully today or tomorrow

 

[Ridgerunner]

Any update?

 

[conroy]

she hatched over night ... there is still one more egg but... I don't think that one is gonna hatch but we are gonna give it a couple more days

Snowey is our EE that brooded her ... we named her Boadicea... I hope it's a hen... we have a 50/50 chance right?