Cold Incubator Eggs

[LynnaePB]

Did any of these eggs happened to be shipped? Did the air cells look normal throughout incubation?

It doesn't look too bad, it just appears that the membrane has pulled away a bit at the lowest point. This is common for shipped eggs which often have loose air cells. Being that most of the membrane looks just fine I think it shouldn't have a big problem. Hopefully it's just that low part that looked like liquid? It can look a little odd when they move with a loose air cell especially as they get closer to hatching.

It does not appear to be internally pipped yet but if you just noticed the air cell growing suddenly it could be starting to "draw down". As they start absorbing the yolk in preparation for hatching the air cell has a big jump in size. Usually I start noticing draw down on days 18-19 but depending on the temperature it could happen a bit later or earlier (I keep my temperature a little on the higher side at 100 so may see draw down a little earlier than some). Once they draw down it is much more normal to see movement against the membrane as the chicks body is right up against it at this point. It looks a bit different than the movement you would have seen before draw down. It will probably continue drawing down and then start working on an internal pip.

If there wasn't a sudden jump in air cell size it probably hasn't started draw down yet and just looks a little odd because of the slightly loose air cell at the low point.

Good luck with your first hatch, I hope it goes really well!

 

[Fayed]

Egg looks alright to me, definitely the liquid you saw could have been the chick moving, if the air cell gets alittle wonky it can look very strange. Unless your positive an egg is dead, like no question what so ever leave it incubating. I've had a couple eggs that I was convinced were dead...they weren't. One I found out the hard way and the others supprised me and hatched. If it's not a slushy, clear, or an obvious blood ring I leave them and check after a few days.

 

[DallasChickyMomma]

Did any of these eggs happened to be shipped? Did the air cells look normal throughout incubation?

It doesn't look too bad, it just appears that the membrane has pulled away a bit at the lowest point. This is common for shipped eggs which often have loose air cells. Being that most of the membrane looks just fine I think it shouldn't have a big problem. Hopefully it's just that low part that looked like liquid? It can look a little odd when they move with a loose air cell especially as they get closer to hatching.

It does not appear to be internally pipped yet but if you just noticed the air cell growing suddenly it could be starting to "draw down". As they start absorbing the yolk in preparation for hatching the air cell has a big jump in size. Usually I start noticing draw down on days 18-19 but depending on the temperature it could happen a bit later or earlier (I keep my temperature a little on the higher side at 100 so may see draw down a little earlier than some). Once they draw down it is much more normal to see movement against the membrane as the chicks body is right up against it at this point. It looks a bit different than the movement you would have seen before draw down. It will probably continue drawing down and then start working on an internal pip.

If there wasn't a sudden jump in air cell size it probably hasn't started draw down yet and just looks a little odd because of the slightly loose air cell at the low point.

Good luck with your first hatch, I hope it goes really well!

This makes all the sense. Man, I was tripping out. They were all shipped eggs, I followed the Sally Sunshine protocol for shipped eggs. The ones in question were also a few days older, traveled farther and were in rougher shape when they arrived than my others. They indeed had loose to detached cells when they arrived, and fared the worse over time, I started with 12, now there's just 3. The cells on these two were pretty much solid on day 5...I thought. Alright, cool, thanks so much for calming my crazy!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Here's a brand of Hygrometer/Thermometer you can calibrate. They're available on Amazon.

I also use Egg O Meters to keep track of the temperature inside my eggs during incubation. They come precalibrated, so you won't have to do so. They're great for identifying cool spots in your incubator.

 

[LynnaePB]

This makes all the sense. Man, I was tripping out. They were all shipped eggs, I followed the Sally Sunshine protocol for shipped eggs. The ones in question were also a few days older, traveled farther and were in rougher shape when they arrived than my others. They indeed had loose to detached cells when they arrived, and fared the worse over time, I started with 12, now there's just 3. The cells on these two were pretty much solid on day 5...I thought. Alright, cool, thanks so much for calming my crazy!

I'm glad it was helpful!

I completely get it, first time hatching is especially nerve wracking and even more so with shipped eggs! If you haven't already and are open to the idea of assisting if needed this article is really good to read before they start hatching. Shipped eggs can have a harder time with malpositions and external pipping sometimes (or at least it's been an issue I've come across a lot in my shipped silkie eggs). I've saved quite a few chicks who were in awkward positions and couldn't externally pip by adding safety holes and then assisting further if needed. Hopefully your little guys have no trouble and make it out perfectly on their own though!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/#:~:text=Assisted Hatching Method for All Poultry&text=Hatching is a process that,before it can hatch safely.

It's great you came into incubating shipped eggs prepared, hopefully the incubation method gives them a leg up, good luck!