[ellie01]

Hi everyone, Im new  to chicken raising and would like to know how long to continue to leave my bantam on her fertilised eggs? Today is her 21st day with 3 out of the 8 eggs hatching day 20. Ive been told to get rid of them day 22 if they dont hatch but I would hate to do that if they just need a little more time. Can they even hatch after 22 days?
thanks heaps

[bantam novice]

Hello Ellie01 and welcome to the wacky world of henaholics 

How lovely that you have three chicks!  We love to see photos here if you can post some.  I am not very experienced and I'm sure someone more experienced than I will be along to give you some advice.  If the eggs are all the same size and started at the same time I would be inclined to think that the ones that haven't hatched were not viable.  You may be able to hear cheeping if there is a live chick inside.  I would also see what mother bantam is doing.  Is she still trying to sit or is she more involved with the three chicks?  I think you shouldn't leave it too long before removing them because non-viable eggs can harbour bacteria which could affect your chicks and mother bantam.  Good Luck! 

[joyfull]

I would leave her for another day or so, she probably can still feel movement in the eggs. I have had eggs hatch last year on day 25. Mum will get off when she is ready to teach the other chicks to feed, they are ok for a couple of days without chick crumb although if you have room place some close by and also some water in either a shallow dish with marbles/pebbles in or a proper chick drinker.

[hillfooter]

Probably leave them a little longer.  Usually if they are going to hatch they will all hatch within 2 days of each other so I'd say if you don't see any for 3 days after the LAST one hatched you can assume they aren't going to.  They maybe delayed or advanced as a batch but unless there's some reason like size or breed differences they tend to be grouped within a day or two.
HF

[ellie01]

Thanks for all that advice!! I looked on you tube yesterday and had my first go at candeling eggs...I found that 3 were empty and 2 had chicks in there but I couldnt see any movement. I had purchased eggs to put under this chook and there was several bantam types being frizzel and pekins and the pekin chicks are yellow instead of the black that I wanted so i am thinking that perhaps they are not getting out of their eggs yet due to being a differnt breed? (well hoping really) I think i will give her till tomorrow and see how things go...many thanks for all your help I will definatly tell you if any hatch!!