[redmolly]

Afternoon all, day 16 and I checked in on my little broody, only to find her off the nest and eggs were cold. I don't know how long she had been off, but the eggs and her nest were cold.....she seemed really out of sorts. An hour later she was stood over them....just looking at them. I had to go out then (much to my frustration). When I got back 3 hours later, she is back on them.
Shall I just give up hope on them....my husband keeps telling me that mother nature has a funny way of working, but I'm pretty sure she was off too long.
Just wondered what others thought.....so I know whether to book myself some day olds for Sunday\Monday?
Such a shame.....perhaps she thought it was already day 21 as she had been trying to sit for a week before we got her fertilised ones.
She was doing so well!!!

 

[Pretty Chick]

That's happened to me before and it's sooooo frustrating isn't it!!? All that waiting and looking forward for them to hatch.

A couple of months ago, we had a broody who left her eggs for a couple of hours a few days before they were due to hatch. They were stone cold.
After a while, she did sit back on them. I thought there wasn't much of a chance they'll hatch, but I left them under her just in case, but they never hatched.

Don't remove them just yet redmolly because if they are going to hatch, chances are they will hatch a few days after day 21 as they have been left cold.

Sorry to be so negative 

[redmolly]

Thanks Pretty Chick. I was just looking for confirmation really.

My plan B.....is to leave the eggs with her until the end of the week to make sure she is still serious enough.....so perhaps I'll wait until day 22\23 before giving her a couple of day olds. If she leaves the eggs in the meantime I'll know not to bother!!

My bang on reliable one from last year, hasn't bothered this year!!

Hens!!!!!! 

[Kelloggs]

Last month I had the same problem but I didn't give up and got 14 beautiful litlle chicks and they arrived on time

You haven't got long to wait, can you candle them and in a couple of days check progress,
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

[redmolly]

Well I shall keep my fingers crossed and keep you all posted!! Never tried candling before....so will leave well alone on this occasion!! There is a faint glimmer of hope after all!! Thank you!!!

[Pretty Chick]

Yes redmolly, keep us posted and I hope we'll see some photos of them soon!!