Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: Diane on July 19, 2008, 14:20

Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Diane on July 19, 2008, 14:20
Hi

I wonder if anyone can help.  I was about to boil an egg, I was surprised  by the sound of chirping coming from it.  I placed it in a shoebox filled with some sheets and wrapped the egg.   Does any think there is a chance of it hatching?  I believe it to be about 19 days old.
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on July 19, 2008, 14:23
God grief, where on earth did you keep it?!!!!
Yes of course if it is cheeping then it might hatch. Ideally it should be under a broody or an incubator at about 37C and humid so it doesn't get stuck. They pip at about 19 days and hatch at about 21.

Good luck though, that's amazing!
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: poultrygeist on July 19, 2008, 14:30
I have heard stories of this before. How amazing if it hatches OK.  :D

Welcome Diane, by the way.  :)

Hope you'll keep us informed, and post some photos if anything good comes of it.

Rob  8)
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on July 19, 2008, 14:31
Wish you were closer, you could borrow my little incubator to see if that helps. Was it laid by your own chickens?
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Diane on July 19, 2008, 14:32
I got the eggs off the milk man on Friday, put it in a pan of warm water and it starting chirpping. Just waiting now to see what happens.
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on July 19, 2008, 14:33
Oooh, think how horrible it would have been if you hadn't heard it chirp :shock: Think you really need to try and keep it as close to 37C as you can. Hot water bottle? Rob is the expert on this :lol:
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: poultrygeist on July 19, 2008, 14:50
:lol:   I can do the Hotty Botty after it hatches, no problem! :lol:

I can even knock up a coop in a day. But hatching chicks I ain't ever done  :shock:

Rob  8)
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Diane on July 19, 2008, 15:11
Thanks for that everyone, i've got a small hot water bottle and i'll let you know how i get on.  I can feel a tiny pulse when i hold the egg.  I'll post some pics if it turns out ok.
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: poultrygeist on July 19, 2008, 15:13
Good luck. Fingers crossed. If you need more advice, there are other people who have hatched eggs who may be around later.

Rob  8)
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Vember on July 19, 2008, 15:29
:shock:   Got fingers crossed for you here :)
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on July 19, 2008, 16:07
Very much doubt that is a pulse you can feel but bet is it the chick tapping on the side of the egg trying to work its way out. Could feel that with my ducklings. Be patient.
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: chooknewbie on July 19, 2008, 16:10
hi diane...

if you can get through to doncaster I have a very small incubator that will do fine for just one egg....works using a light bulb for heat and comes with a thermometer....you are welcome to borrow it and then return when you are finished with it, or give me a tenner and its yours with the extra bulbs chucked in...good luck whatever you decide
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on July 19, 2008, 16:13
Know that some people on this forum would already have that in their bra or something similar to try and keep it body temp (not saying that I'm one of them or anything but without my incy I might be tempted :oops: ) Might be a little limiting if you had plans for the weekend.
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on July 19, 2008, 16:14
Especially if those plans involved anyone else getting into your underwear :lol:
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: poultrygeist on July 19, 2008, 16:16
Go take a cold shower Kate  :shock:

Humidity might be about right too !  :)

Could always run up and down stairs to work up a sweat. I'll leave you to it. Think I need a cup of tea  :roll:

Rob
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: babe on July 19, 2008, 16:22
Quote from: "Kate and her Ducks"
Know that some people on this forum would already have that in their bra or something similar to try and keep it body temp .


not that ive done that or anything, but it does work, whatch out when it pips, you get a nasty little nip on ya boob  :oops:
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: chooknewbie on July 19, 2008, 16:22
*doesnt think she would risk cracking any of the other eggs without candling them first*
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: NormandyMary on July 19, 2008, 21:07
Id like to know where the milkman gets his eggs from. I take it they are free range. (very free range I should think, with a free ranging cockerel too!)
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Hawthorne on July 20, 2008, 11:18
Ooh - I do hope there's a happy ending to this!

That said, I had a similar experience once, and it turned out to be a hairline crack in the shell - the air escaping was making the cheeping noises  :shock:
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on July 20, 2008, 19:41
Anymore news on the chirping egg :roll:
Title: Hatching a chick
Post by: Diane on July 20, 2008, 19:48
No news, not sure if it alive,  i've tried to keep it warm with hot water bottle but no chirpping, its got heaver im not sure if that means anthing.  Will see what happens in next few days.  Not holding my breath.