Delayed hatch?

[Agustin]

I have a broody hen with only four eggs. Three have hatched but one hasn't yet. Its day 23 but still no little chick. I candled the egg to see if there was something in there and i could see the baby in there. So is there still a possibility the egg will hatch even though its almost three days late?

 

[five is my dog]

yes trust your hen!

she knows best however its not good for the other chicks to sit in the nest for a long time. but if you saw a baby it will most likely hatch! how big was it can you post a pic?

 

[Agustin]

Ok thanks, i cant post a pic at the moment but the chicks do have easy access during the day out of the nest.

 

[five is my dog]

ok good they might not go out without there mom though.

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Is the egg rocking or rolling?
Is it internally pipped?
If its 3 days late likely it died. But if there's movement then wait it out. If the hen abandons the egg then you can put it in the bator, but unless she thinks its gonna hatch its likely not too since the chicks tend to synchronize hatching at the same time

 

[cestial225]

I set 6 eggs in my incubator 23 days ago. Turns out only 2 were fertile. One hatched on day 21 and the last egg is still in there. I candled it on day 22, 24 hours after the other chick hatched. I figured it was probably dead but it was still alive and tonight the egg is rocking so I know it is still alive even though it is so late. I am hoping it hatches cause the chick that did hatch looks so lonely all by herself in the brooder

 

[LukensFarms]

Sometimes to check if an egg is still viable I heat water in a bowl to 98 degrees. I then set the egg in it gently and see if the egg moves at all. You will see movement within a few seconds. Then remove the egg because if left too long you could drown the chick through the tiny air holes. This has worked well for years. Sometimes when a hen is setting, the egg may be more susceptible to drafts and therefore develops more slowly. A chicks speed of development is contingent upon consistent heat.