Day 26 no hatch, opened egg, chick moved!

[KimJG]

can anyone tell me if there is any chance of a chick still being alive on day 26? The eggs have been sitting under my hen now for 26 days. No hatches. I'm ready to give up. So today I opened one egg. The chick looked small but developed. The little beak opened then closed. There was still a fair bit of yolk. Are these dead chicks? My first time, not sure what to do. The hen has been on and off the eggs plenty of times, maybe slow development or perhaps that's why they won't hatch? Any ideas?
Thank you for any suggestions
Kim

 

[AlleysChicks]

Apparently not if the chick opened its beak. I'd candle the eggs. Day 26 is a bit late, are you positive the day is correct?

 

[KimJG]

Apparently not if the chick opened its beak. I'd candle the eggs. Day 26 is a bit late, are you positive the day is correct?

I'm sure about the date, wrote on the calendar. What should I look for when I candle? I can tonight!

 

[BYCforlife]

Yes, if the hen goes off the egg it can take longer. Mine took about 24-26 days too.

 

[BYCforlife]

I'm sure about the date, wrote on the calendar. What should I look for when I candle? I can tonight!

If 2/3 of the egg is black, there is a chick in there. If the flashlight shines right through, nothing's developing.

 

[AlleysChicks]

Yes, if the hen goes off the egg it can take longer. Mine took about 24-26 days too.

Oh my and I thought I'd go nuts waiting the 21 days lol

 

[KimJG]

If 2/3 of the egg is black, there is a chick in there. If the flashlight shines right through, nothing's developing.

Thank you! Will give it a try!

 

[BYCforlife]

Oh my and I thought I'd go nuts waiting the 21 days lol

Lol. When I incubated eggs myself they hatched on day 22. I think they take longer with a broody due to the hens taking breaks for food, water, dust baths etc.

 

[junebuggena]

Did you mark and set all the eggs at the same time? Or did you let her accumulate eggs? Did you check daily and remove any contributions from other hens? Could be that you're in for a staggered hatch, with eggs at different points of development. Have an incubator on standby, just incase she decides she's done sitting.

 

[junebuggena]

Lol. When I incubated eggs myself they hatched on day 22. I think they take longer with a broody due to the hens taking breaks for food, water, dust baths etc.

Eggs incubated by broody hens should hatch on day 21, but only if they were all set at the same time.