Day 19/20 Lockdown Help

[Princess Layaa]

Hi all - new here (UK based). I'm not new to keeping chickens but this is my first incubated batch. Initially put 6 eggs in - 5 have developed really well - one showed no development at all so removed it. Locked down yesterday and all 5 remaining showed movement/good air sacs etc. during last candle. However, one egg seemed to look a bit 'grubby' -almost as if it had been touched with greasy fingers - was showing good movement though so put it back in. Don't know whether I've done the right thing that particular egg now seems to be very still whilst the other 4 are rocking - no pipping from any yet and we're just a couple of hours of going into day 20. Don't want to open the bator but really concerned that this egg may be a risk to the others - would I be better removing now before pipping starts? Or maybe candling it one last time to check for signs of life?

 

[Tre3hugger]

My opinion would be to just leave them alone.

 

[Offshoreorca]

Hi all - new here (UK based). I'm not new to keeping chickens but this is my first incubated batch. Initially put 6 eggs in - 5 have developed really well - one showed no development at all so removed it. Locked down yesterday and all 5 remaining showed movement/good air sacs etc. during last candle. However, one egg seemed to look a bit 'grubby' -almost as if it had been touched with greasy fingers - was showing good movement though so put it back in. Don't know whether I've done the right thing that particular egg now seems to be very still whilst the other 4 are rocking - no pipping from any yet and we're just a couple of hours of going into day 20. Don't want to open the bator but really concerned that this egg may be a risk to the others - would I be better removing now before pipping starts? Or maybe candling it one last time to check for signs of life?

They often become still as they rest once they move into hatch position! I got worried on my first batch because they stopped moving, but all hatched fine I think you'll be okay - just let it be. If it didn't smell going in and had movement then you should be fine as it takes them a while to become stinky and a risk to the others because of bacteria.

 

[Princess Layaa]

My opinion would be to just leave them alone.

Thanks for the reply Tre3hugger - will watch and wait for now - just concerned about risk of infection. This is worse than waiting to go into labour!!! I'm even dreaming about chickens!!!

 

[Princess Layaa]

They often become still as they rest once they move into hatch position! I got worried on my first batch because they stopped moving, but all hatched fine I think you'll be okay - just let it be. If it didn't smell going in and had movement then you should be fine as it takes them a while to become stinky and a risk to the others because of bacteria.

Oh thanks so much! That's really reassuring! There was definitely no smell so fingers crossed - not too long to go now!

 

[Tre3hugger]

hanks for the reply Tre3hugger - will watch and wait for now - just concerned about risk of infection. This is worse than waiting to go into labour!!! I'm even dreaming about chickens!!!

No prob. I know it's nerve wracking. Keep us posted!