jeshen Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 Golda, pekin bantam, hatched one of her 4 eggs on day 21 and the one little chick seems to be doing well - he/she's gorgeous! The other 3 eggs haven't yet hatched and today is day 23. How long should I leave Golda sitting on them before I give up on them? (I didn't candle them so have no idea whether they're viable.) Should I just remove them from her now or should I give it a couple more days? Don't know what I'd do without this forum!! Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I was in just your position 2 days ago!!! But my broody hen Molly( gold partridge pekin) knew best she gradually kicked out the eggs that wern't any good, the last on day 25. It amazes me how they know!!!! But I have learnt to trust thier instincts as Milly (Sliver partridge pekin) who hatched first, 3 weeks ago now, had 2 hatch then none for 2 days then 3 more and finally gave up on the last egg also day 25!!! It is hard though because you worry about the already hatched chicks...which need their mummy!!!! If you get a chance to hold the eggs, a tip I was given is deveolplng eggs feel warm where as duds quickly feel cool. Also is she kicks eggs out remove them. Keep us posted!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeshen Posted June 2, 2012 Author Share Posted June 2, 2012 Thanks Mimi. I've checked this eve and still no more chicks. The solitary one seems very lively and I think has eaten. Golda hasn't moved all day, and gets very disgruntled if I disturb her too much so I haven't been able to feel the eggs. In view of what you've said, though, I'll definitely give her a couple more days. Would be much nicer if there were 2 chicks to grow up together!! Will let you know what happens in the next couple of days....! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 they're probably 'dead in shell', I'm afraid. As long as she's still sitting on eggs, she won't be getting up to take her single chick to food and water. I lost a chick recently because of this. You'll want to remove the dead eggs and then mum will get the idea to get up and move about with her live chick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeshen Posted June 3, 2012 Author Share Posted June 3, 2012 Thanks, will do as you suggest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted June 3, 2012 Share Posted June 3, 2012 I'd remove the eggs today, if you can candle them and check that they haven't pipped through if they have and the beack moves put them back I nearly lost 2 like that with a broody they were a bit late hatching and she'd left them to go cold luckerly I started to pick the shell away and not just brake them open both hatched in the incubator. but the hatch I had last week had 3 duds and that broody was still sitting tight on them but once I removed them she went straight into I'm a mother arn't I clever mode Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
