The Poultry Keeper

tammy68

I am really not getting any success with Marans at all! The 3 out of 6 eggs that were fertile and developing have not hatched. Two of them were rocking - one slightly and the other a lot last night. Today is day 23 and none are moving now at all.

Are Marans particularly difficult to hatch? Are their shells tougher and do they need higher humidity? Do they need more time?

I have put a wet rag in to increase humidity as much as possible but apparently to no avail it would seem.

Shall I try candling them to see where to penetrate the eggs and see if I can start them off if they are still alive? If they are dead then I will feel so frustrated with myself for not having gone in earlier! I will give them until 1pm and then if nothing has happened or if no one has advised me not to then I am going in.

Any advice would be very much appreciated and if anyone knows anyone experienced in Marans could they find out for me if they need any particular conditions please?

Thank you

tammy68 · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 3:41 pm Post subject:

Okay, the one egg is still rocking slightly and I can hear cheeping inside. The humidity was set to 70% and I have reduced it to 65% as someone told me they have late hatches if humidity too high. As I said, it is now day 23, shall I give it a little longer or try to start it off? We picked it up to start to open it with a wooden cocktail stick, but the shell is far to tough for that so I got a pin out of the sewing box - now I'm just wondering if I am going the right thing. What should I do? Help!!!

debcat · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject:

I always leave them till day 25

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

I candle to see where the air gap is and give it a harp tap with the back of a knife, then use tweezers to pull off sufficient shell to be able to see in to check that the inner membrane hasn't dried out, and the chick has got at least its beak through. Then put it back for at least an hour.

mojo · Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2008 9:30 pm Post subject:

do as henwife says and damp the membrane with blood heat water on a cotton wool bud if its dry ............... but remember marans often go to day25 before appearing

The Ladies · Joined: 02 Aug 2008 Posts: 131 Location: Kent

Any news?