The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: FiB on May 17, 2012, 05:29:47 pm

Title: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: FiB on May 17, 2012, 05:29:47 pm
..and I thought pigs were time wasters!!!  ;D  I have been watching a hole in an egg (and little movements behind it) for HOURS on and off now!!!!  When will they hatch??????!!!!!  On humidity thread there were tales of 'helping them out' as a last resort - I'm pretty sure we're no where near that point, but how long do hens eggs typically take from first chip to emergance?  Humidity is only 60% rather than the recommended 65%  ::)(both wells in Octagon 20 full and card and kitchen roll dipped in to increase surface area) but I feel I darent take lid off at this stage.  Thats the trouble with having digital numbers - if I'd bought the other model Id be none the wiser and not worrying! ::)
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: in the hills on May 17, 2012, 06:05:43 pm
It often does take hours!!!!!  How long ago did it pip? Have many eggs pipped yet?

Dont be in a rush to help out. You musnt do it til they are ready  :o  ;D
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: FiB on May 17, 2012, 06:11:54 pm
First pip at 10 this morning - and that one has not progressed much and 4/20 have made cracks/holes so far.  I imagined that they would all hatch on day 21, but nature isnt like that is it!!  I was beside myself this morning but I'm exhausted now after a day of feeling like that!  I feel like I'M giving birth!! 
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: in the hills on May 17, 2012, 06:19:11 pm
Okay .... I reckon plenty of time. Dont go in there with the tweezers just yet cause its not pretty if you go in to soon  :o

Keep watching because just when you go for your dinner, it will pop out in no time at all.  ::)

Yeah, I said to my sheepy mentor that our first lambing season was more exhausting than actually giving birth myself.   ;D
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: dixie on May 17, 2012, 07:56:03 pm
Took me a while I thought the pig laid an egg lol! I must be tired  ;D
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: FiB on May 17, 2012, 08:50:56 pm
Yeay!  First bedragled but noisy little chick!  In for a night of cheeping with any luck (why did I put the inci in the kitchen which is next to our bedrooms? ;D)  Thanks for reassurance all (as ever) :bouquet: Photos tomorrow
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: Mammyshaz on May 17, 2012, 09:17:38 pm
 :thumbsup:  :chook: look forward to some piccies.
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: little blue on May 17, 2012, 09:48:06 pm
congratulations :thumbsup:
It can take ages, and its not easy if you're not so patient, like me!

We have a little chick hatched today under a broody .. and according to my diary they were "due" yesterday - which just shows who actually know best! ;)  Hoping for more, and turkeys at the weekend (now who's excited!)
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: FiB on May 18, 2012, 01:26:49 pm
Well, still only 3 but heres some clips if you have a coffe and 5 mins to spare (I think you can fast forward!!).  One is busy chipping out another nearly out and another 6 with one chip - I never thought it would be so spread out!  Anyway, son beside himself as you will hear!!!!
https://picasaweb.google.com/112885985608434555855/20091210?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ6prp-NsMr8Rw#5743843416528337954 (https://picasaweb.google.com/112885985608434555855/20091210?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ6prp-NsMr8Rw#5743843416528337954)
 
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: little blue on May 18, 2012, 07:43:34 pm
Fab FiB! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: FiB on May 19, 2012, 08:01:06 pm
Well I feel very fortunate - 14 hatched out of 20 and all lovely.  Masively long hatch time though 60 hours from first pip to last (i think) hatch.  We have 5 black chicks and 9 yellow - does that mean anything (hens/cockrels or indicator of feather colour?) They are light sussex I think (eggs from a friend whos flock are mostly light sussex).
Day 23 today I think.
There are 6 eggs left in incubator (still on) should I crack them in any special careful way(in case there is a viable chick inside)  to have a look or do poeple not bother (assuming they are rotten/duds)?
Thanks for all advice, lovely to have a living room full of peeping!!
 
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: little blue on May 19, 2012, 08:13:35 pm
congratulations! :thumbsup:

what breed is their cockerel?
pure LS chicks will be yellow ... but so will male chicks of an LS crossed with a red type cockerel

I'd leave the others in another couple of days ... then I always open them to check for fertility (do it outside!) but thats because I don't candle them.
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: Padge on May 20, 2012, 07:41:39 am
 ;D ;D  children are priceless ;D ;D   we too have chicks hatching right now and OH can't keep his nose off incubator window  :D
 
Well done :chook:
Title: Re: A watched egg never hatches???
Post by: suziequeue on May 20, 2012, 08:03:09 am
Awwww - that's lovely. How many children get to se that nowadays....