A chick with a massive Air cell.

[Mel35]

Hey guys,

I have a chick in the incubator that is due to hatch, I noticed it is a bit later pipping than the rest so I have quickly handled it and it seems to have a massive air cell, like more air cell than chick by the looks of things. When I candle it I can see what looks like a tiny beak and a breathing motion. I am a little worried with the amount of space between the membrane and the end of shell. What are my options here, do I let nature takes it course and hope it makes it to the shell to pip or am I going to need to intervene at some stage? And how will I know if I need to intervene? Its important to note the shell hasn't been pipped yet, and I know taking it out of the incubator isn't ideal but I had a feeling something wasn't right and felt the need to candle. I will attach a photo for reference.

If any chicken mums or dads have any advice on my next port of call, I would be incredibly grateful

 

[Debbie292d]

I would leave it in the incubator for at least another day. For some odd reason, it's not developed as much as the others.

Is your humidity around 70%?

 

[Crazy Chicken Keeper]

I would leave it in the incubator for at least another day. For some odd reason, it's not developed as much as the others.

Is your humidity around 70%?

Yes I agree with this. If it hasn't pipped in 2 days I'd assist

 

[Susan Skylark]

Is it even alive? Most I’ve seen like that have a small crack in the shell, the embryo is basically mummified in early incubation as too much moisture escapes. But those were quail with far less volume to lose.

 

[Wingstem]

Hey guys,

I have a chick in the incubator that is due to hatch, I noticed it is a bit later pipping than the rest so I have quickly handled it and it seems to have a massive air cell, like more air cell than chick by the looks of things. When I candle it I can see what looks like a tiny beak and a breathing motion. I am a little worried with the amount of space between the membrane and the end of shell. What are my options here, do I let nature takes it course and hope it makes it to the shell to pip or am I going to need to intervene at some stage? And how will I know if I need to intervene? Its important to note the shell hasn't been pipped yet, and I know taking it out of the incubator isn't ideal but I had a feeling something wasn't right and felt the need to candle. I will attach a photo for reference.

If any chicken mums or dads have any advice on my next port of call, I would be incredibly grateful

The beak shadow and breathing motion is very good sign! Do you know how long it's been since internal pip? The air cell only holds about 24 hours of air, so the first thing you want to do is put a safety hole to ensure the chick has a steady air supply.

Candle the egg and with a pencil mark a point close to the center of the air cell, but a safe distance from the shadows of the chick's beak. Using a small drill bit or diamond bit by hand, very carefully poke a hole and ream it out to make a hole about 2-3 mm in size. Now your chick can breath and is safe while you take the next steps to determine if it needs help hatching. I'll get you a link for some help on that. Make sure your humidity is between 65% and 75% now to prevent drying of the membrane.

 

[Ridgerunner]

When I candle it I can see what looks like a tiny beak and a breathing motion.

With that huge air cell it is probably not going to make it but I think your best bet is to put it back in the incubator and give it a chance. I don't know of anything you can do that actually improves its odds of survival than give it a chance. There are plenty of things you can do to decrease its chances. It is moving so it is alive, there is still hope.

Good luck!

 

[Wingstem]

Here's a fantastic article by @pete55 https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/eggs-meat/candling-eggs-artificial-incubation-hatching/ He hasn't been active on BYC for quite a few years, but his posts and articles continue to be an incredible help to me!

From the article... (follow the above link for more information and photos.)

These two graphics show the appearance on candling of the unabsorbed yolk and blood vessels (left) and absorbed yolk and vessels as a “hollow” void appears (right).

"Predicting when the chick is ready for final release and if assistance is required is fairly easy. The essential tool required is a good quality tool for candling eggs (and a dark room to view in). After external pipping the yolk sac and blood vessels are still to be absorbed. Candling eggs through the air cell and around its low point at the front will show very little visible detail. The dense yolk sac appears as a dark mass, though the major umbilical vessels may be seen. This is more easily achieved in white and thin-shelled eggs and incubating white chicken eggs is an excellent way to practice your techniques. As the yolk sac and blood is absorbed, a hollow void appears in the area below the lowest point of the air cell. The light visible while candling eggs will clearly illuminate this void area."

Hope this helps!

 

[casportpony]

Here's a fantastic article by @pete55 https://backyardpoultry.iamcountryside.com/eggs-meat/candling-eggs-artificial-incubation-hatching/ He hasn't been active on BYC for quite a few years, but his posts and articles continue to be an incredible help to me!

From the article... (follow the above link for more information and photos.)

View attachment 4249274
These two graphics show the appearance on candling of the unabsorbed yolk and blood vessels (left) and absorbed yolk and vessels as a “hollow” void appears (right).

"Predicting when the chick is ready for final release and if assistance is required is fairly easy. The essential tool required is a good quality tool for candling eggs (and a dark room to view in). After external pipping the yolk sac and blood vessels are still to be absorbed. Candling eggs through the air cell and around its low point at the front will show very little visible detail. The dense yolk sac appears as a dark mass, though the major umbilical vessels may be seen. This is more easily achieved in white and thin-shelled eggs and incubating white chicken eggs is an excellent way to practice your techniques. As the yolk sac and blood is absorbed, a hollow void appears in the area below the lowest point of the air cell. The light visible while candling eggs will clearly illuminate this void area."

Hope this helps!

Welcome to BYC! We have that here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-hatching-guide-completed.491013/post-6238295

and here:

Waterfowl Incubation Guide by BYC's @pete55

Waterfowl Incubation Guide by BYC's @pete55 Hi Everybody Well here's My GUIDE to incubation and hatching which is applicable to ALL SPECIES. However as I've had so many appreciative comments and input on previous threads I've decided to post it in the Geese section and use EXHIBITION DEWLAP...

• casportpony
• Apr 12, 2021
• 5.00 star(s) 7 ratings
• Comments: 1
• Reviews: 7
• Category: Hatching Eggs & Raising Chickens

 

[Wingstem]

Welcome to BYC! We have that here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-hatching-guide-completed.491013/post-6238295

and here:

Waterfowl Incubation Guide by BYC's @pete55

Waterfowl Incubation Guide by BYC's @pete55 Hi Everybody Well here's My GUIDE to incubation and hatching which is applicable to ALL SPECIES. However as I've had so many appreciative comments and input on previous threads I've decided to post it in the Geese section and use EXHIBITION DEWLAP...

• casportpony
• Apr 12, 2021
• 5.00 star(s) 7 ratings
• Comments: 1
• Reviews: 7
• Category: Hatching Eggs & Raising Chickens

Thanks! I knew I had seen it here!! But couldn't find it quickly... I had this one up on my computer for my current hatch. Bookmarked on BYC now.

 

[Tookie]

I incubated 4 eggs back in June, all 4 made it to lockdown, but one never did pip externally or internally, so unfortunately it didn't make it. But I noticed after time the air cell got bigger and there were bumps all around, it wasn't a straight line. Not sure if there was anything I could do, I gave it time and didn't assist. I believe it died the first day of lockdown or so.