Dead Embryo?

[albert12363]

This is my 2nd chicken hatch and it is now day 22 (2-2-16). I candled the eggs to see what's up and some of them have some noticeable red veins and a dark mass that is slightly moving. However, there are mostly eggs with a dark mass with no noticeable movement and veins that looks like they have exploded or not as bright and defined as the other eggs. does that mean that these eggs are dead? Also, now that I look back, I may have stopped turning on day 17. Is this ok? Any advice is appreciated for future hatches. Thanks!

 

[countrygirl345]

While I don't know much about artificial hatching, last year I hatched some eggs with a broody hen, and one of them didn't hatch until day 24 or 25! I would wait a little bit longer if I were you.

 

[Crowe10]

I agree with countrygirl...wait. The ones that are dark with no movement might just be tightly packed chicks ready to hatch Ive had chicks come on day 20 and day 24 in the same batch... just be patient

 

[albert12363]

Alright, thanks. One chick of mine hatched on day 20, too. Its the only one so far and I'm afraid that its getting lonely.

 

[caesargirl]

Any updates?
If you still are trying to figure out alive/dead, you can try the float test.
Good luck

 

[albert12363]

one of the 5 chicks show movement inside the eggs and I hope it'll bust out real soon. Winter must have affected the fertility of my shamos or something. Hopefully i'll better luck next time!