Not sure, but feel like a chick murderer........

[Snadger]

My broody has been sitting on eggs for 26 days today. Enough is enough says I and turfed her off the three eggs that were left. I was going to break the eggs to see what was what but my compost heap is next to a neighbouring garden and they were sitting out in the sunshine. I thought the eggs would be rotten and stink so I put them to one side until the residents nearby had went inside.
2 hours later I broke the eggs and one was putrid and stank! The other two had dead chicks in them and when I broke the shell!
Surely chicks can't hatch 5 days after the 21 days they are supposed to can they?
Please tell me they can't as I feel like a chick murderer................but how long can you realistically wait?

To crown it all, one of my other hybrids has decided to go broody!

[CoraxAurata]

If they were dead when you opened them they were alomost certainly already dead - on a warm day they won't have cooled enough to kill them that quickly.

But I waited over a week after an initial disaster on day 25, and still had 2 underdeveloped live chicks which subsequently died so am a chick killer, know how you feel but you really don't have to feel bad they had already died - if you can face it check their eyes you will see they are dull and possibly even slightly sunken. Horrible situation ::sympathies::

On the upside my broody whom I'd given up on as a week late but left alone as I was away and OH doesn't "do" that stuff hatched 5 out of eight eggs! An improvement over 7 out of 48 from the incubators!

[MaureenHall]

I don't think you're a chick murderer Snadger. The chicks probably died days ago, the extremes of temperatures we've had lately has bound to have had some effect surely, even under a broody. Don't beat yourself up about it. If you still want some chicks, why not get some more eggs and put them in your incubator (at least you've got some control over temperature and humidity there), and put some dud eggs under your broody. When the chicks hatch, swap them over for the dud eggs. Does that sound as if I'm living in cloud-cuckoo land? It sounds feasible to me, but heck, what do I know - I've never been in that situation

[CoraxAurata]

Its a good plan Aunty Mo.

[Snadger]

............................... If you still want some chicks, why not get some more eggs and put them in your incubator (at least you've got some control over temperature and humidity there), and put some dud eggs under your broody. When the chicks hatch, swap them over for the dud eggs. Does that sound as if I'm living in cloud-cuckoo land? It sounds feasible to me, but heck, what do I know - I've never been in that situation

What would we do without Aunty Mo? That's a brill idea! If she's still trying to sit tomorrow I'll go on the prowl for more eggs for the incy!

I might even get some Minorca's from the same breeder as I know at least two of his were fertile!

Thanks Maureen.........that's cheered me up no end!

[Glutton4...]

You lot are so brave risking all this egg hatching - I'm gonna stick with ready hatched live bodies - I couldn't stand the anticipation!

Don't feel bad Snadge - what will be will be

[Suechooks]

Why not do both? Get 12 and put 8 in the incubator and 4 under the broody or however you want to divide them. Covering all options then.

[Glutton4...]

*** off Suechooks! I've got my fingers in my ears LOL! ;P

[Snadger]

Why not do both? Get 12 and put 8 in the incubator and 4 under the broody or however you want to divide them. Covering all options then.

Funny that, I had the same thought whilst lying in bed last night!

[RichmondHens]

Yes, I would do both. If the hen just sits on "dud" eggs she will get to the point where she will know nothing is going to happen and she may get off the eggs before the ones in the incubator hatch. Then chances are she won't take the incubator chicks (happened to me once). You can just give her 3 or 4 and hopefully all will be well.

Finding a dead chick inside an egg is not nice, but you DO get used to it, believe me!

[HayleyB]

Shame Snadger, don't feel bad I reckon it was the weather. Aunty Mo's plan does sound good though

[MaureenHall]

Shame Snadger, don't feel bad I reckon it was the weather. Aunty Mo's plan does sound good though

But Richmond's plan's better!

[Snadger]

Well now............the second broody has decided she doesn't want to be a broody and joined the rest of the gang.
My original broody is still cluck clucking and staying away from the rest of the flock but she is the most healthy looking of all the chooks.
I would think after sitting for nearly a month she would be emaciated, but she aint. I was wondering if her protein top up of an egg a day has kept her in trim! Lol (Even though I could kill her for it.....only yolking!)