When to remove unhatched eggs?

[Rox]

So my white Fife canary's eggs should have started hatching from 28 June (counted from the 3rd egg laid, total of 4 eggs laid). As of yesterday, still nothing

I haven't candled them or checked with a torch. 1 egg does look a lot darker than the other 3 though, so I'm wondering if I should leave her for a few more days just in case or should they have hatched by now if fertile?

I was thinking I should probably remove the eggs tomorrow if they have still not hatched but just want to make sure with everyone that if the eggs haven't hatched by now (a week overdue), it should be fine for me to remove.

Thanks as always!

[30 Seconds to Bob]

I was wondering when we were going to get an update on these eggs. Canary eggs generally hatch in 13 to 15 days. I've heard of instances of them taking up to 18. If it's been a week past the "due date" of the last egg laid, it would be safe to say that they're not going to hatch. The sooner you remove them, the sooner they'll get started on their next clutch. Sorry and good luck. Bob

[Nanajennie]

Good luck! Hopefully you will have new eggs soon.

[Rox]

30 Seconds to Bob

@Nanajennie

Thanks guys I finish work at 3pm on Friday's, so I saw your response Bob on my phone and immediately went to remove her eggs. I cracked all 4 open out of curiosity and they were unfertile. Hopefully the pair have better luck next round. How easy is it to candle canary eggs? I'm just thinking I could have saved Crystal a lot of effort if I had candled the eggs earlier....

On a happier note, my yellow Fife pair have 3 new babies, born either yesterday or today (she was on the nest last night when I checked). They look very strong and she is coping well so far. So holding thumbs for this lot. I had to run and grab the camera for some pics

Oddly, she also wanted to nest between the screen and the fence. So I stuffed a soft, plastic pot plant in between, filled it half way with grass and she did the rest with the soft material. Not a single pet shop bought nest has been used...

Spot (she has a black spot on the back of her head)




Azlan (dad)

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Congrats on the beautiful new babies! Are you sure they aren't a bit older than what you think? One already looks like his eyes are begining to open? That usually doesn't happen until about day five or six. As far as candling, it can be done right in the nest with a tiny, very bright flashlight. I however, generally don't do it. Bob

[debbie276]

Adorable! Love the chick picture

[Rox]

30 Seconds to Bob

Bob, well spotted on the chick with the opening eye! I was just so excited that there were chicks, I didn't even notice! 02 July was 14 days on the nest, since 3rd egg was laid. So there is a very good chance that they are 5/6 days old now. We probably just didn't notice as she was on the nest the whole time. I don't do proper nest checks during the week, as they are all roosting already by the time I get home, so I leave them be. Weekends is when I annoy them, lol!

Thanks about the candling info. I'll see next time if I can try see something with a torch.

[Nanajennie]

Rox how cute! Thanks for sharing! I have never seen canary babies before

[Rox]

Nanajennie

Only a pleasure It's my first time seeing canary chicks as well. You can't see it in the photo that well but they have tufts of white feathers on their heads and back, that looks like soft fluff. Too cute!!

[Nanajennie]

Rox I can see the the little white fluff, It is similar to the way my first Zeb babies looked. So cute! And I love the little crops, they must be so young, I wonder if their crops get as huge as Zebra Finch crops get...

[Rox]

Nanajennie

I'm finding them quite different to the finch chicks I have had. I don't know if it's just because of the way they stretch their necks up which makes them look so different and a bit more 'creepy' than finch chicks, lol! (still too cute though!)

I will post some photo's as they grow up. Hopefully these 3 make it all the way!

[Nanajennie]

Rox bird babies are kinda creepy.. but I love the creeps.

[Rox]

I came home last night to 3 dead chicks - all with empty crops My mom checked them in the morning and they were still alive. I have no idea why Spot stopped feeding, as they were doing great and getting louder by the day... I'm putting it down to beginners bad luck and hopefully she will do better next round. Still such a bummer as I had hope for these chicks

But on a more positive note, my white hen Crystal and her mate have chosen a new nest site, in the middle of some dried brush - can you believe it! I don't know why I bothered buying them canary nests, lol. Lets hope this time round the eggs are fertile. Otherwise Mr Peter (brown & white) will be removed and Mr Azlan (yellow) will be given the chance to cover Crystal...

[debbie276]

So sorry about your 3 chicks, that is a bummer
Best of luck with Crystal and mate

[Rox]

debbie276

Thank you Debbie Keeping birds is definitely not for the fainthearted. They are just so fragile