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Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your chickens, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
Hatching eggs - should they all have hatched by day 21?
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saltyseadog · 20/08/2010 22:08
The first of the eggs under my broody hatched this afternoon :o (Day 20).
There are five eggs remaining - should I give up hope of the others hatching if they don't hatch tomorrow, or is there a slight variation in incubation times?
SwansEatQuince · 20/08/2010 22:18
There can be a slight variation so give her a little more time - a few days.
Congratulations on your new chicks! 
goodtimesarecoming · 20/08/2010 22:24
I had a whole batch of 12 standard rhode island reds hatch at 24/25 days, and everything i read said give up after 23, so, who knows!
isthatporridgeinyourhair · 20/08/2010 22:33
My last lot of 25 hatched out over a five day period so don't give up. You can usually hear them pipping the day before they hatch. I often have one egg that hatches out well before the others. I'd leave until day 25. Good luck!
saltyseadog · 22/08/2010 21:22
Thanks everyone. So far 3 healthy chicks :), one more hatching but very slowly and two eggs that are just, well, dormant.
Being a chicken mumma is very stressful!
isthatporridgeinyourhair · 23/08/2010 12:31
That's good . Some pop out really quickly and some can take 24hrs plus. Some just don't hatch 
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saltyseadog · 23/08/2010 16:04
One died this morning . By the time I could get to the vets it had died. It's leg was deformed, so it didn't stand a chance. Both dh and I cried.
The remaining two unhatched eggs have been abandoned by my broody - she is otherwise occupied being all maternal. Fortunately the other three chicks seem well and perky :).
isthatporridgeinyourhair · 23/08/2010 17:14
but you have three healthy chicks which is good.
saltyseadog · 23/08/2010 21:30
Absolutely :)
bramblebooks · 23/08/2010 22:06
Congratulations chicken mama!
saltyseadog · 24/08/2010 11:32
Thank you! I hope your new crew are settling in well and contemplating laying :).
bramblebooks · 24/08/2010 14:30
Thanks - they are lovely and known as 'the triplets' as they're out and about and up to mischief. I've a few pictures on 'the other place'!
saltyseadog · 24/08/2010 14:59
Will go and have a look at 'the other place' - if I'm thinking of the right other place :o.
bramblebooks · 24/08/2010 18:23
Yes - the name's very similar to mine here!
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