[themagicaltoad1]

I seem to remember reading on here that eggs cheep just before hatching. Can anyone tell me how close to hatching they do this, and do they always do it? If I have silent eggs does this mean they are no good? I don't have a candle thingy to check them with.

[joyfull]

are they in an incubator or under a broody? When are they due to hatch?
mine were (and the next lot still are) under broodies and I never heard them - in fact they are so cramped in their shells I doubt that mine could cheep.

[themagicaltoad1]

They're under broody's and are day 21 on Friday. The broody's seem to have become even more frantic than usual to get back on the eggs each time I take them off for a bit of food and I wondered if they can sense the eggs are nearing hatch date?

[joyfull]

yes she will be able to feel them moving. Just make sure you have the chick crumb and water in the broody coup run ready for them hatching. My last lot hatched over a three day period (Good Friday through to Easter Sunday) and mum will keep them under her so leave her alone when it all starts. The early chicks will be fine without food and water for a couple of days, then when mum is sure no more will hatch she will bring them out into the run to feed. Whilst mine are doing this I then clean out the nesting area and remove any unhatched eggs. My next lot are due on Sunday so some of our chicks may have the same hatchday 
Good luck with it all but really there is not a lot we can do, mother hen does it all 
Oh and don't forget to make sure your camera is charged ready 

[themagicaltoad1]

Do I need to still have layers pellets out for the mum or will she eat the chick crumbs as well?

[joyfull]

she will eat the chick crumb so feeding is simple