Very Worried, Overdue Egg Need Expert Opinion

Hi there,
I have three eggs under a broody hen, one hatched on Sunday, 8/2/15, precisely on the day 21 day mark (hooray). I had one egg due this Monday, 8/3/15, being its 21 day mark (the third egg is a week out from being due). I know 21 days is only an average, but this egg is now 24 hours overdue, and while I know I should not panic, and that some eggs take longer than others, I cannot help but panic. I am very inexperienced at hatching eggs, though I have raised more than a few. I will attach pictures of the candeled egg. It's part silky, part bard if that matters to the egg hatching process, though I'm almost certain it does not.

I just really need to know if these pictures are of a dud, or a mature egg with the membrane retracting because it is due.

I do not see movement nor do I hear anything. Is this how it is supposed to look??? Please help.

I just had some chickens hatch today, and that is what their eggs looked like. However, chicks can die in the shell on hatch day. if you are concerned, try very carefully opening up a small hole at the air sac (so there are no blood vessels to damage) and see if there is movement. this will also help the chick get fresh air. Make sure the egg stays damp and warm, as I have found that messing with them too much leads to trouble. I helped all four of the chicks that hatched today, and one died and the other three are weak and have not started walking yet. Helping chicks can be hard.

I feel like "helping" them would cause more harm than good! I've read too many horror stories. But I'm not sure if it's come down to that already or not?

Mellany said:

I feel like "helping" them would cause more harm than good! I've read too many horror stories. But I'm not sure if it's come down to that already or not?

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If there isn't movement and from what I can see, it's probably a late quitter... if it reeks, toss it... if not, just leave it and see... broody's hatch way better than we can in any incubator...

RavynFallen said:

If there isn't movement and from what I can see, it's probably a late quitter... if it reeks, toss it... if not, just leave it and see... broody's hatch way better than we can in any incubator...

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I don't like the fluid layer on the top of the chick if your not seeing movement with that fluid layer Then I'm afraid you have lost it. I might be wrong but every egg I've had like that has not hatched . give it another day I would I don't think I would toss it till then I'm sorry I know this is not what you wanted to hear hold on to these pictures for future reference The first picture shows it the best. this is the worst part of hatching or you could let the broody tell you she will simply leave the nest wit the egg unhatched in a couple of days congrats on the two that hatched . hope I'm wrong

Thank you guys so much... While it isn't what I wanted to hear, I needed to. Thank you again.

Being a silkie cross which are nearly always early hatch, and now overdue, without peeps or movement, i would say that it's probably a fully formed chick that suffocated in the shell instead of pipping the internal membrane.
3 options-
1 wait (not recommend)
2 toss it
3 open the middle of the clear end very carefully.

If you do this and the membrane around the chick looks dry then it is dead.
If it's not dry looking , then the chick should move a bit as you gently shake the egg. If not- it's dead.
If it does respond then keep it really moist, putting a single drop of water into the egg using a cotton tip every hour until it stars making noise.
From there you need to follow assisted hatching procedures as it very unlikely to come out on its own.

I have silkie cross's and tend to leave any unhatched eggs till the 25th day and more oft then not they hatch. yes u do get the odd ones that die towards end but id rather give them the chance then interfere with nature. after day 25 straight in bin , hope all goes well x

RavynFallen said:

If there isn't movement and from what I can see, it's probably a late quitter... if it reeks, toss it... if not, just leave it and see... broody's hatch way better than we can in any incubator...

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xs 2

My silkie crosses don't hatch any differently than an others. They pop out among all the others.

sjturner79 said:

Being a silkie cross which are nearly always early hatch, and now overdue, without peeps or movement, i would say that it's probably a fully formed chick that suffocated in the shell instead of pipping the internal membrane.
3 options-
1 wait (not recommend)
2 toss it
3 open the middle of the clear end very carefully.

If you do this and the membrane around the chick looks dry then it is dead.
If it's not dry looking , then the chick should move a bit as you gently shake the egg. If not- it's dead.
If it does respond then keep it really moist, putting a single drop of water into the egg using a cotton tip every hour until it stars making noise.
From there you need to follow assisted hatching procedures as it very unlikely to come out on its own.

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I tried this. Very careful to leave inner membrane intact.

The chick itself doesn't move but the membrane did not appear dry.. Keeping it moist under heat lamp and wet cloth. What do you recommend?