JB09 Posted July 15, 2010 Share Posted July 15, 2010 I am on day 15... AHHH I have embryos and a tight sitting broody so fingers are well and truely crossed. The eggs are pekin bantam and I have been reading conflicting reports on incubation times. Some say 18 days and others 21. Does anyone with experience know roughly which is more correct? Currently my broody is leaving the nest for 10 mins a day to eat/drink. Do you think I should put some food / water into the coop now ready for when they arrive or wait until they have arrived? Also I have a small chicken drinker. I have read about chicks drowning easily and wondered if for the first few weeks I should use this or just a shallow dish and marbles? Thanks for your help JB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted July 15, 2010 Share Posted July 15, 2010 For chickens its about 21 days but at 18 days you stop turning and have to make sure the humidity is spot on I have to admit to being a bit surprised you having gathered this basic information before setting out on this road Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlotta Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 While many places say 18/19 days for bantams, I've found mine hatched over days 20 to 21. As you are hatching under a broody you don't have to worry about stopping turning or adjusting humidity etc, the broody takes care of everything. I tend to put a chick drinker and feeder in the house the day before I expect them to hatch so mum can gave some without going to far. In fact I often hold it out to her (spoilt!!) Good luck and enjoy them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 My Pekins all hatched on day 19 last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madchickenlady Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 I'm hatching in a small incy, and it is a minefield. A lot of books say 18 days for bantams, so to stop turning and up humidity on day 15. However, some other books say 20/21 days . I will probably stop turning on day 16 and up humidity then (hedging my bets!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronze Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 madchickenlady I wouldn't stop turning til day 18 but I would make sure the humidity was spot on before then. If you think its low and they start pipping you can always spray a mist of water in to help If its a broody then theres no worries as mum will do it all when needed. I feed my sitting broodies on chickcrumb anyway My bantams have always hatched on day 20/21 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted July 16, 2010 Share Posted July 16, 2010 18? 19? 20? 21? Yes to all the above! Mine (home grown eggs under broodies) usually manage 19 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
