When do runts go in the hatcher?

[HobokenChickenEmergency]

I have a lone bantam brown leghorn egg that's due to go in the hatcher tonight (day 18). I candled him last night, and he's still rolling around in there healthy as can be, but he's small for his age -- he looks to be the size of a 14 day embryo. Should I wait a few more days to put him in the hatcher?

He has a good size air cell going on, but he's still got a lot of room in the bottom of the egg.

 

[silkiechicken]

Just wait and see if he hatches. Day 18-21 can show lots of growth,but you usually don't see it since you're generally to leave them be for those last three days. If temp was a bit down, he may very well be a bit slow, but doesn't mean he will be a runt. Just put him with others of the same age once he gets his feet!

 

[HobokenChickenEmergency]

Thanks! I was just worried about whether he'd still need to be turned, being small and all.

I don't know why I keep calling him a runt-- or a him, for that matter. LOL

He'll look like Godzilla compared to the quail he'll be hatching with!