Day 24, No hatch, Questions

[Nate Caskey]

It is currently day 24 of my incubation and 3 of 5 of my eggs have hatched. The two eggs that haven't hatched have an alarming amount of air in the blunt end. I have seen no movement and heard no peeping.

These pictures are the same egg but opposite sides.

 

[Hybridchucks]

@chickensreally

 

[sevenfatcows]

If you detect no movement, those eggs are probably not going to hatch. The one in the photo is pretty porous and that can be a problem because the air will evaporate out of such an egg sooner than out of one with a better shell. You could float them to be more certain. It's always sad when chicks die at the very end of the hatch, but that's just part of the deal.

 

[Clucker86]

I too am on day 24 had 4 chicks hatch on day 20 and 21. 4 eggs left in the incubator I was about to give up and get rid but candled them and definitely movement in one I could see the beak. should I intervene? is there anything I can do?

 

[sevenfatcows]

Hi. I am not an expert at that, but I see that no one has replied to you yet, and you are probably feeling helpless. Maybe this will help you out: There is a thread, maybe more than one, about opening an egg artificially. At this point, there is probably not much to lose, but be prepared for a chick that may not survive. I think the basic method is to take off the top of the air cell carefully, then apply a thin film of oil to the membrane so you can see what's going on better. Then proceed to let in some air. The veins need to be no longer active or there will be a fatal bleed. The video that's up right now on the thread about the double yolk twin (check this site home page weekly topic) shows a woman artificially opening an egg. Search assisted hatching and you will find people here who are very experienced with this. Often late hatching chicks have perosis or some other leg issue keeping them from turning and getting out on their own. Chicks like that often do not survive or have to be put down within a few days for mercy's sake. If you can't find the information you need, I'd try starting a new thread with a big SOS to get others interested in your situation. I hope it will all work out for you.

 

[Clucker86]

The chick has since broke halfway out but is laying very still halfway laying in the Shell still membrane covering part of it can't see the head. Looks very red and wet. A lot of condensation on the incubator so can't see properly but can see breathing.

 

[sevenfatcows]

I think you can now assume it was ready to hatch and also safely slide the membrane off and finish getting it out. This is something I have done from time to time. Once in a while, the yolk is not fully absorbed, so it is a good idea to be ready to stick its lower half back into the bottom of the shell to protect the yolk sack until it is fully absorbed and the navel closed. The baby may have just been in an awkward hatch posture that slowed things down. If you have Nutri Drench, it will profit from a bit of that or iron free infant vitamin drops. I usually mix a few drops into a half teaspoon or so of water so that I can dip the beak rather than try to put a liquid into the chick's mouth. It is very easy to get it down the wrong pipe. Keep us posted!

 

[Clucker86]

Thanks for the advice Seven. I have no nutri drops I'm afraid I'm some what of a novice this is only my second hatch. The chick is still breathing I'm scared to open the incubator at the moment I fear that a change in humidity or temperature may cause further harm. It's nearly one in the morning here so I'm going to retire and hopefully the little one will be still with us in the morning all things well.

 

[Clucker86]

Unfortunately the little chick didn't make it however on closer inspection it turned out not to be a chicken but a duck chick bill and webbed feet. I got the eggs from a guy in the neighbouring towns who keeps ducks also I can only assume he mixed the eggs up somewhere along the line no wonder it was late hatching

 

[sevenfatcows]

Poor baby....duck eggs need extra humidity throughout the incubation, correct? I have never hatched any-they are hard to keep in the desert.