What are the chances...

[leyston]

Hi all!
What are the chances that none of the eggs laid would hatch? We are up to 3 now, but I worry that none of them will hatch. How long do I wait to see? I don't know which egg came first, so I don't know which egg is supposed to hatch when. I know that they are supposed to hatch on May 24, then the 26, then the 28. Will Selma know that they won't hatch, or would she sit on them forever?
Also, they do kow that they are supposed to be mating in between right? Selma never seems to come out of the nest box long enough (although lately I haven't been around them as much!).
So, could all these eggs be infertile?

[Bea]

You just have to wait and see. They probably still mate when you're not around.

[leyston]

Ha Ha! Just after I posted the questions, Selma came out and mated with Ray!! He never seems to be on her for very long, like 5 seconds, but he does the whole rubbing thing and then just steps off. Does it seem like they are doing it right? Shouldn't it last longer (or is that just wishful thinking...)?

[Joey]

You could wait 10 days and then candle the eggs and if you see a dark figure with viens than it is fertile if the eggs become opaque or grey than they are no good, but leave them in there just encase.It can be dangerous though if the eggs are rotten and crack for some reason there is so much bacteria in the egg that it could make any babies or parent budgies sick!:)

[Mistyoriline]

I say just wait a few more days and see ...I would not touch the eggs unless they are grey.

[Joey]

Yes good thing Mistyoriline pointed out!Dont really touch the eggs too much,onece or twice is ok but do not handle it often.It is not true that birds abandon thier eggs if they smell human hands.If you touch the eggs too much than you will block the pores taht the chick gets air from on the shell of the egg.You block them because you have oils on your fingers,even if you wash your hands 100 times.You will still ahev that oil on your hands but I would wait a few more days.

Selma will notice that they are bad,because eventually she will lay more eggs and throw the old ones out or they will break "that really smells"I hope you dont experience that, I threw up!Nasty!!!!!!Just wait much more people are saying just wait so I would just wait.Is this her first clutcH?I was really careful with my first clutch too,but after 9 cluthes you kind of strech out on handling the eggs,disturbing them and stuff...they will get used to you.Breeding birds takes alot of paitence but it is rewarding!:) Right everyone!!!?:) :)

[shawna]

I'm anxious to breed my guys and patiently waiting for them to be old enough. It is a great time for me to learn about it all!

Would it hurt to just leave the eggs until the 28th and then if no hatching just chuck them. You will feel the difference that far along because an egg with a chick near hatching will be heavier.

[Joey]

After they are done I ussualy crack the eggs,to see what was inside.

[Amy]

What if they were just about to hatch?

[jonathanH]

that is what happend to one of my neighbours he had pigeons and they layed eggs. The eggs didnt hatch so he went to throw them out he threw one it broke and there was just yolk inside the other one he threw it also broke but there was a chick inside and it was moving and everything, he felt soo bad probably the next day it would have hached!:(

[Amy]

What happened to the chick? Did it die?