Chicken Eggs on Day 24, Still Movement!

sjango

Songster
7 Years
May 2, 2017
315
512
246
San Diego County, California
I was about to pitch 6 eggs that are on day 24 of incubation, but when I candled, 4 were still moving! So I put them back in the incubator. I am fearful of opening it again, but am unsure how long to wait! Should I poke a safety hole? How do I know when they’re internally pipped without opening the incubator again?

*NOTE:
These were shipped eggs, and there were incubated at 98.5 F for the first three days due to a faulty thermometer that I replaced with three new ones! I thought for sure they were all done for and was shocked to see four of them moving quite vigorously when candled. I didn't spend enough time to tell if they were internally pipped, but from what I remember I don't think so.

The ones that were moving in the egg looked like they were "fluttering", some in the dips in the air cells, many of the air cells were saddle-shaped early on in incubation due to detached air cells from shipping that healed.
 
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I'm trying my best not to panic, I know letting events take their course is usually the best in these situations. However, I am very worried these little ones will die in their shell. I don't think there is much I can do to help. Any words from experienced hatchers of shipped eggs would be appreciated. I'm loosing my mind here!
 
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I have great news! One of the eggs has pipped! I never heard any peeping or saw any rocking, but one has a crack. Nothing from the other 5 so far. :D
Is there anything I should be worried about at this point? I'm so hopeful for these little ones.
That’s great news! just watch for the beak to poke through, that was you can monitor for the tell tale yawning motion that is indicative of the final yolk absorption phase :)

Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with artificial incubation or late hatches, so I’m reluctant to advise :oops:
 

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