When to throw in the towel...

[2 many chickens]

What would I look for? It’s hard to see anything.

Just see if you can see any movement, it's okay if you don't see anything though. They rest a lot before hatching. Also look for internal pips. You'll see the beak in the air cells. I'm sure you'll have more hatch!

 

[Hyroler]

If you tap on incubator with finger sometimes it will stimulate babies and eggs will start moving.

 

[Granny Hatchet]

did you say you started incubating march 9th ?

 

[Shortblondemommy]

did you say you started incubating march 9th ?

Yes March 9th


Edit: March 2 I’m not sure why I said March 9

 

[Tiana's chickens]

Yes I've had chicks hatch as late as day 26 as well so don't give up yet!

 

[HenniesInMyHeart]

If you put them in on March 9th, you have time then! 21 days aren't up until 3/30!

ETA: I just re-read the thread and you put them in on the 2nd, so you are further along but still not too far out. Crank your humidity, seal incubator and leave on lockdown a few more days. People have mentioned having chicks hatch up to day 26, so I wouldn't give up until after the 29th. The hardest part is letting them be.

PS: Yes you have a female in the pic you shared! YAY!

 

[JaeG]

Candle them to know for sure. Full eggs are still alive. If the embryo has died it will sink towards the narrow end and there will be a lighter, watery gap between the air cell and embryo with no veins visible.

 

[Shortblondemommy]

Yes March 9th

Candle them to know for sure. Full eggs are still alive. If the embryo has died it will sink towards the narrow end and there will be a lighter, watery gap between the air cell and embryo with no veins visible.

i candled them it looks like a lot of air, I feel like more than when I put them in lockdown. I tried to get a decent picture. Not sure how much you can see but it looks like too much light shining through to me.

 

[JaeG]

The air cell does draw down a lot as the chick nears the time it will pip internally. As long as it's dark under that then they should be hatching for you soon. Sometimes you can see the membrane flexing slightly at one particular spot where it meets the air cell. That's the chick trying to pip internally.

 

[Hyroler]

Just leave eggs alone in incubator give them few more days.Messing with them will not help them hatch faster.