Could these eggs still hatch?

[aart]

I've read about a float test. Has anyone tried it with any success? I also wonder if the same tests with duck eggs, as that will likely be my next batch of hatching eggs.

I would not count on this.
You're supposed to be able to see if the egg is moving while floating,
but a live chick may not be moving at the time you float.
Just wait another day or two, broody will get off the nest to show her chicks were to feed and water after a couple days.
You say it's day 22, what day did the other chicks hatch?

 

[dunnmom]

I would not count on this.
You're supposed to be able to see if the egg is moving while floating,
but a live chick may not be moving at the time you float.
Just wait another day or two, broody will get off the nest to show her chicks were to feed and water after a couple days.
You say it's day 22, what day did the other chicks hatch?

The first two came on day 20. They have already been eating drinking and pooping like champs. Lo and behold, one egg has a live chick inside and it pipped itself a breathing hole sometime in the night or this morning. I wasn't expecting such a high hatch rate, but I'll take it!

 

[aart]

That's great!
I'd bet mama knew those eggs were good and was maybe cooling them a bit or encouraging them to hatch.
I'm guessing they are all in a separate enclosure from the flock so mama can sit and the chicks can move around freely to eat/drink/poop?

 

[dunnmom]

That's great!
I'd bet mama knew those eggs were good and was maybe cooling them a bit or encouraging them to hatch.
I'm guessing they are all in a separate enclosure from the flock so mama can sit and the chicks can move around freely to eat/drink/poop?

Yes, they are secure.

 

[dunnmom]

There may be a second pip, but it looks like a crack at this point and I felt movement in one intact egg. I must have miscounted there are 3 she's still working on. I hope they make it, because I don't believe in helping an egg hatch. I did mist them in case the membranes are too dry. I can't believe my hen is being so good about my presence in her space. She hasn't pecked me even once.

 

[aart]

I would leave her be, she knows what she's doing.

 

[dunnmom]

Well, we've run into another snag. The late hatching babies seem to be being rejected by mama and older chicks. I've heard it can happen, so I'm prepared to brood them myself if need be. She's taking really good care of the 8, and tolerating the 9th. The 10th is getting picked on by the other chicks, and stepped on by mama, so I've taken it out. I'm going to try sneaking it back in under mama tonight. Maybe it'll blend in with the rest better tomorrow.

 

[aart]

Oh, bummer!
So the last egg hatched?
Might want to take out 2, for companionship, then add them back tonite.
Good Luck!

 

[dunnmom]

These are the 2 last to hatch. One hatched from a blue egg, I assume EE or mix thereof. The other hatched from a dark brown egg, so I guess a Marans mix? When the EE hatched, little blue chick layed on it until it dried out, and they've been cuddling ever since.

 

[aart]

Did you try to stick them back under mama?