Day 20, No activity.....Is this normal? Chicken mom freaking out! :)

[HamonyFarmHens]

Well I candled the egg and the whole egg was filled and I didn't hear chirps or anything.. Is it dead do you think or should I try and help it? It's been 24 hrs since it popped the air sack

 

[AmyLynn2374]

You could always make a hole in the air cell where it pipped and see if it is still moving.

 

[HamonyFarmHens]

Ok and what should I use? A pencil or something? Tip of a knife or..?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Ok and what should I use? A pencil or something? Tip of a knife or..?

When I did mine I used the tip of a utility knife and opened a hole in the air sac. Then after making sure they weren't alive, I did the eggtopsies.

 

[HamonyFarmHens]

So I did the eggtopsies all the chicks made it to at least day 18 but none were alive. The one that had opened the air sack was dead also, so the chick that hatched will just have to be an only chick BUT I was amazed that all the eggs were so developed! I've never had this kind of luck with hatching, so I will definitely be using the dry incubation method. Thank you for all your help!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

So I did the eggtopsies

all the chicks made it to at least day 18 but none were alive. The one that had opened the air sack was dead also, so the chick that hatched will just have to be an only chick

BUT I was amazed that all the eggs were so developed! I've never had this kind of luck with hatching, so I will definitely be using the dry incubation method. Thank you for all your help!

Hope the next one goes better!!

 

[HamonyFarmHens]

Thank you! I think I will try again in March- but for the mean time, I'm worried about the chick being by itself because I know that they need company.. Should I try hatching more chicks or will she be ok by herself?

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Thank you! I think I will try again in March- but for the mean time, I'm worried about the chick being by itself because I know that they need company.. Should I try hatching more chicks or will she be ok by herself?

Most people try to find/buy another hatchling for their loner chicks. I didn't. My second hatch did not hatch out until my loner was almost 2 months. Since they are all inside they still aren't together unless they are out for playtime, but all of the pens are in the same area so they see each other. Even if you did another hatch it would be alone for over a month. You'd have to give the new ones time to grow before putting them together. I would either see if you can find someone that has new hatchlings to get a couple chicks from, or make yourself her companion. My loner is part of the family because of the special circumstances. Here's my only hatcher from my first hatch attempt, taken about a month ago I think:

As you can see he's quite tame....lol

 

[HamonyFarmHens]

Aww! He's adorable!! I don't know of anyone but MyPetChicken who is hatching chicks to be sold right now any ideas? She's in the basement in her brooder now and when she's older I think I might set up this little baby pen I have for her to play around in. It's also very VERY cold and snowy where I am so I don't think I'll introduce her to the outside yet.. That would mean a very cold chicken!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Aww! He's adorable!! I don't know of anyone but MyPetChicken who is hatching chicks to be sold right now any ideas? She's in the basement in her brooder now and when she's older I think I might set up this little baby pen I have for her to play around in. It's also very VERY cold and snowy where I am so I don't think I'll introduce her to the outside yet.. That would mean a very cold chicken!

That's why I still have my 8 week olds in pens in our playroom. Right now it's 20 below. It's going to be a long winter!!