Counting chickens before they hatch

[makai08]

Hi y'all,
Last 3 days for these fellers, which had been stored in unknown temp/humidity for a couple days prior to my getting my hands on them and getting them into an incubator. Incubator lockdown has started, but the last candling I did makes me wonder if I'll get any more than that first one hatching. Anyone have a better eye than I to tell me what's going on with these? Thanks!

 

[nuthatched]

Only the first one might hatch, the second looks like a quitter, and the last ones are unfertilized or early quilters. Just throw those out.

 

[ChloeSilkie08]

I agree. At least you get one little chickie!

 

[makai08]

So here's a question I can probably hunt down somewhere online with some digging, but I didn't think air-cells formed unless the egg was fertilized. Have I been wrong?

 

[nuthatched]

So here's a question I can probably hunt down somewhere online with some digging, but I didn't think air-cells formed unless the egg was fertilized. Have I been wrong?

Yep, sorry. Air cells are in every egg no matter if it's fertilized or not.
If the egg is fertilized, you'll see veins after 3-5 days of incubation. After that, you can watch the chicks form and fill the egg.

 

[Madie'sOddFlock]

So here's a question I can probably hunt down somewhere online with some digging, but I didn't think air-cells formed unless the egg was fertilized. Have I been wrong?

Air cells are actually how eggs are graded, so, even unfertilized eggs have air cells. Boy, would it be WAY easier to tell if the boys are doing their jobs if all you had to look at was the air cell. Definitely looks like only the first one fully developed.

 

[Henrietta 65]

Yep sorry only looks like the first one might hatch good luck let us know the outcome

 

[MGG]

I agree with the others, your first one is your only hope unfortunately. I agree with the air cell thing too, all eggs have air cells.
Good luck with your hatch! Hopefully the first one hatches.