AACCKK!! Did I kill it?

[Fourgirlsoneboy]

Ok, ALL of the eggs I had at lockdown hatched except 3. Its been over 24 hours since the last hatch and no pips, so I figured the last three had failed, so I carefully opened one (you know where this is going) to see how far it was when it died and I pulled back a small part of the inner membrane and it started to bleed and MOVED! I put it right back in the bator and upped the humidity- uuuhhg. Have I killed it? Does it have a chance? This was three hours ago and I can still see it shifting in the membrane. I feel so bad!

 

[ranchhand]

Wait and see- don't open the bator again. I hope you get some more chicks,

 

[Cornychick]

aw geez...I will keep my fingers crossed for you too!!!! I am on my first hatch ever, but i have read various posts that have spoke of some straglers taking a bit longer.

 

[miss.eggonomics]

i hope you didnt kill it!

 

[Sasquatch]

Last spring I place 3 dud eggs in the trash can. Lo and behold 2 of them started chirping and hatched within the hour. They just needed the ultimatum, I guess. Depending on the amount of blood lost you chick may end up just fine. Give it food and keep it warm. Chickens are more durable than we tend to believe sometimes.

 

[RonnieAtkeson]

When I have a ? egg i put it up to my ear and tap it with one finger. Most the time if its still alive you will hear a clicking noise or a chirping noise. You will also notice that a dead in shell will feel noticably cooler than a live chick when the egg is pressed to your ear. You can also try candling to see if you there is a bit of movement at the aircell end of the egg. There might just be a very slight movent where its pipping the membrane at though. I know it seems the eggs should all be the same temp but a dead in shell will be noticable cooler against your ear.

 

[Fourgirlsoneboy]

Thank you- that is great info to have. I will def make sure I do that from now on. Thanks everyone for the encouraging words also!
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[The Sheriff]

Good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[aalbury]

The pipping process requires carbon dioxide to get the twitching necessary for the chick to pip. Don't help. Allowing air into the air cell in will stall the hatch. From drawdown to hatch takes 24-48 hours. I learned this the hard way.

 

[Mahonri]

Great info here.