[Belleisa]

I recently bought some fertile eggs to hatch, that i have put under two broody pekins.
One has 4 medium bantam eggs the other has 8 teeny dutch eggs.
My question is they are currently in separate broody type boxes in an enclosed run.
They are familiar with each other, but when the chicks (hopefully) hatch.
Will i possibly have an issue with the mums attacking the others chicks?
They are  first  time mums, so have no previous experience with chicks.
Not sure if i should put a barrier between them, or hope for a happy rearing.

[Belleisa]

It has been suggested to me to let them hatch then put a temporary barrier up so each mother can id her own chicks, then to take it away after about a week.
Its hatch day today so still just waiting for any to hatch.

[Fleecewife]

The only similar experience I had was when two hens sat on a pile of eggs together, sharing the nest.  It worked quite well as when one went out for a freshen up the other stayed.  After they hatched though one hen was gradually pushed aside until after a few days one had one chick and the other had all the rest. Eventually the sad day came when the one hen was left chickless.  However, the other hen raised all the chicks perfectly well

[Belleisa]

so hatch day has come and gone but sadly no chicks so far, being the end of season possibly parents health at fertility.
I will keep checking but feel its will be a failed hatch this year.
I purchased the eggs because i am not allowed any crowing where i live.

[TyIsa]

How many days over are you? I've had broodies hatch successfully on day 25 on a couple of occasions.
Not quite the same but I had 1 chicken hatch guinea fowl and another hatch chicks within a few days of each other this year. After about a week bonding in their little separate coops they were fine free range with each other and the adults.

[Fleecewife]

Eggs for hatching sent by post are often so tumbled around that they get so tangled up inside that they don't hatch, but I would let the hens continue sitting for a few days more.  Have you listened for any sound from inside the eggs?

[Belleisa]

Hello.
I was lucky enough to collect the eggs from The fertile hatching co, in quedgley,
I have listened to them all and not a sound from any of them.
Day 21 was yesterday.
I will try and candle them tonight to see if any movement or identity early died or not started.
I had not candled them before yesterday.
But i will possibly give them until sunday.
Thank you again for suggestions.

[Belleisa]

Well i am quite surprised.
Just been and listened to the eggs just in case.
And yes i can hear one is tapping.
So day 24 today and by tomorrow we might even find its pipped or even hatched.
Hm fingers crossed.

[Richmond]

Just emailed you B 
Maybe hens didnt sit tight enough at the start and hatching has been delayed.

[doganjo]

Well i am quite surprised.
Just been and listened to the eggs just in case.
And yes i can hear one is tapping.
So day 24 today and by tomorrow we might even find its pipped or even hatched.
Hm fingers crossed.

I've had hatchings of 25 and 26 days so leave them be meantime.  The hens will probably kick them out of the nests if they are bad

[Belleisa]

Today i found one chick.
I believe its a welsummer.
I think its a girl, fingers crossed.
So who knows what tomorrow might bring.

[Fleecewife]

That's lovely Belleisa    Here's hoping she gets some siblings.  Any more peeps?

[Belleisa]

So i am still quite amazed.
Because today is day 26 and i have now found another 2 possibly 3 eggs pipping.
I have moved the eggs and hens around, and all pipping eggs are now under the one hen who has the chick.
The other hen now gone back to the main coop.
And the other eggs which are quite doubtful are under a much older broody hen, just in case lol.

Had these eggs been found and not purchased i would understand a 26 day possible hatch but they all went under the already broody hens the same time, so am still amazed at such a late hatch.
But thank you for the suggestion to leave them.
I am still stunned lol.

[doganjo]

So i am still quite amazed.
Because today is day 26 and i have now found another 2 possibly 3 eggs pipping.
I have moved the eggs and hens around, and all pipping eggs are now under the one hen who has the chick.
The other hen now gone back to the main coop.
And the other eggs which are quite doubtful are under a much older broody hen, just in case lol.

Had these eggs been found and not purchased i would understand a 26 day possible hatch but they all went under the already broody hens the same time, so am still amazed at such a late hatch.
But thank you for the suggestion to leave them.
I am still stunned lol.

Local laid eggs are more likely to hatch, because transporting them in the post does disturb them.  The hatching process doesn't start until the first day of steady sitting

[Belleisa]

This is the weirdest longest hatch i have ever had.
The welsummer hatched on sunday under a mummy hen.
A bantam Maran hatched last night. I had transferred all eggs into my incubator as my other girl got fed up and mummy hen didnt want the extra eggs, that was a rush to set up, as i found the eggs all quite cool, but luckily most still ok.
Just now a poland has hatched, in the incubator
And a dutch is pipping.
So who knew that at day 27 we were still hatching bantam chickd
Lol i guess my girls just wanted to give a limited sitting service and it delayed development.
Thank you to Tylsa the suggestion that i just keep the eggs until sunday and now its tuesday.
Phew am exhausted