Dead or Alive? Day 23

[fuzzi]

This is my third time hatching eggs.

Monday was Day 21 under my broody, Naomi. While I was away for a couple days last week my chicken sitter mistakenly gathered her eggs, but put them back within 15 minutes. It was about Day 14.

Today I picked them up, one at a time. One smelled bad, so I broke it open, and it had a dead chick.

I'm thinking the rest are dead as well. I candled them just now.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

No movement in any of them, but #5 was so dark I couldn't tell.

Thoughts?

Eggs are back under broody.

In case anyone is learned in development, the dead chick picture is here, behind a Spoiler:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/fuzzis-chicken-journal.1550586/post-28677768

 

[AMURPHY227]

I don't see veins in any of them, and with you not seeing movement, I'll say these are no good.

It won't hurt to give it another day though, I always do even though I know, but.......juuuuuust in case lol

 

[Ridgerunner]

While I was away for a couple days last week my chicken sitter mistakenly gathered her eggs, but put them back within 15 minutes. It was about Day 14.

The broody hen could have been off of the eggs for over an hour without it bothering them. In an incubator you can keep them out for over 15 minutes while candling and it would not be a problem. That part of it was not the issue.

Today I picked them up, one at a time. One smelled bad, so I broke it open, and it had a dead chick.

Since it smelled, bacteria got inside and multiplied. It could have been your sitter had dirty oily hands or maybe they set them down where one got infected. Maybe it was unrelated, I don't know.

I'd sniff each egg, maybe every day for a couple of more days. If they smell like they are rotten, get rid of them. If they smell OK, put them back under the broody and give them a chance. As long as they do not smell it will not hurt anything.