When does the 21 day count down start?

[GSPx2]

So today is the 21st day from when i introduced 12 fertile eggs to my broody hens. It was late afternoon that i gave them the eggs. So my question is, is today or tomorrow considered the 21st day? And then at what point do I say that they won't hatch? Can they hatch at a later time or do they usually hatch on the 21st day? Obviously I have never done this before.

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

It is my understanding that day 1 is the day AFTER you set the eggs. So if you give the eggs to a hen at 1pm on a Monday, say, day 1 is Tuesday. This means that day 21 is always the same day of the week on which you set them, I. E. If you set them on Monday, they will hatch on a Monday three weeks later.

Chicks brooded by a hen will usually hatch on day 21, but they can be a little earlier or later (days 20-22 are quite normal). I think it is rare for eggs to hatch later than day 22 with a hen rather than an incubator, because conditions under a hen *should* be perfect.

Late hatches are generally caused by lower than perfect temperatures, but it has been known for healthy chicks to hatch even as late as day 25. Lower temperatures with a broody hen can be caused by the hen not being able to cover all the eggs fully, or leaving the nest for too long or too often throughout the 21 days (for example if she is being disturbed by other hens wanting to lay in the same next box).

Did you candle the eggs at any point to check if they were developing?

 

[GSPx2]

It is my understanding that day 1 is the day AFTER you set the eggs. So if you give the eggs to a hen at 1pm on a Monday, say, day 1 is Tuesday. This means that day 21 is always the same day of the week on which you set them, I. E. If you set them on Monday, they will hatch on a Monday three weeks later.

Chicks brooded by a hen will usually hatch on day 21, but they can be a little earlier or later (days 20-22 are quite normal). I think it is rare for eggs to hatch later than day 22 with a hen rather than an incubator, because conditions under a hen *should* be perfect.

Late hatches are generally caused by lower than perfect temperatures, but it has been known for healthy chicks to hatch even as late as day 25. Lower temperatures with a broody hen can be caused by the hen not being able to cover all the eggs fully, or leaving the nest for too long or too often throughout the 21 days (for example if she is being disturbed by other hens wanting to lay in the same next box).

Did you candle the eggs at any point to check if they were developing?

I did not candle them. I was worried about disturbing them too much. I guess I'll just keep checking them every chance i can for the next few days.

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

Were they shipped eggs? And how sure are you that they were fertilised? If they weren't shipped and you are confident they were fertile, there is every chance they will hatch.

If it were me I would wait until late into date 22 and check. If I couldn't see any chips in the shells or hear any peeping, I would candle a couple of the eggs.

 

[GSPx2]

I just went home for lunch and 2 are starting! One is just a little hole and the other looks like it should have been out, but the membrane is still together. I can hear that one chirping too.

 

[GSPx2]

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Congratulations on getting a broody. I love hatching with my broodies (so much I never artificially hatch anymore).

You don't have to check at all, but in the summer weather, I find it is smart to check at day 3 to 5, then again at day 10. Pull any that are clears.

If you are using light colored eggs (ie white or light tan vs. olive or dark brown), on day 3 to 5 you will see a road map radiate from a dark spot. By day 10 you should see the egg covered by a big blob at one end and have veins radiating from that.

I then wait for day 22 to check again. Resist tampering the last week of development and definitely the last couple of lock down days. You can cause shrink wrapped chicks by changing the humidity. It will also create a very exasperated hen.

Good luck and let us know how it's going.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Ahh...I thought you'd just set them...you are already to hatching.

Now put the hen back on and resist any more looking! You don't want to mess up the babies!

LofMc

 

[Keeperofmunchkins]

Yay! The one with the broken shell but intact membrane looks like it might have been sqaushed rather than the chick hatching. I would probably candle that one to see what's going on inside, and leave the rest under the broody . There needs to be as little disruption to the humidity as possible once the chicks hav externally pipped the shells.

 

[GSPx2]

Well, I woke up expecting to see one chick, but there were 5 and one still hatching.