Day 23 - how long do I wait for?

[lisa25]

Hi - This is my second attempt at incubating and the first time around I had great success. 10 out of 12 hatched. However, this time put 6 eggs in and only 1 has hatched on day 21. It came out perfectly and quickly. I left the hatched one in for 2 days so I didn't have to open the incubator but still no pipping or any movement. How long should I wait for? Could it be that the eggs I purchased were not good? They were from a different person this time. I did everything the same this time, in fact, I was probably even more regular with turning and maintaining humidity.

 

[SA Farm]

Did you candle before lockdown to remove and duds? I just did a hatch of 41 and 18 were duds...

 

[Veer67]

I would wait on to day 25, if you think that a chick is having trouble coming out you could try assisted chick hatching. https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/step-by-step-guide-to-assisted-hatching. Or sometimes as Kathryn P said they could be duds.

 

[lisa25]

No, I didn't candle because I never had before. I will next time. Thanks you.

 

[Veer67]

No, I didn't candle because I never had before. I will next time. Thanks you.

Candling is good for removing duds but don't do it too often as it sometimes reduces hatching rate.

 

[lisa25]

Ok, risking making things even worse I did the float test and candled them. They are all very dark inside with a small air sack about 5mm deep. Just a small part floated above the water (probably 10%), they pointed directly down but there was no movement when in the water. I'll leave them another couple of days and see how it goes.