Do I remove on day 19 or 21?

[SecondChanceRanch]

Today is day 21 and 19 (as I had added eggs to the original group).

In 4 of the eggs I can hear chirps as well as some tapping. HOWEVER, in the remaining 2 that are pictured chipped up and cracked (as of today) they have a slightly fowl smell to them and I do NOT hear anything. AND on the egg that is chipped more I can see a little bloody spot, very small.

Do I leave them alone or do I remove them. I have no idea what I am doing. Thank you!

 

[Jbently28]

It looks to me like the eggs pipped and were crushed while trying to hatch. Is it possible that your hen is crushing them while they are hatching? I know some inexperienced broodies will do this as they see the chick as an intruder.

 

[karenerwin]

Today is day 21 and 19 (as I had added eggs to the original group).

In 4 of the eggs I can hear chirps as well as some tapping. HOWEVER, in the remaining 2 that are pictured chipped up and cracked (as of today) they have a slightly fowl smell to them and I do NOT hear anything. AND on the egg that is chipped more I can see a little bloody spot, very small.

Do I leave them alone or do I remove them. I have no idea what I am doing. Thank you!

I agree with @Jbently28 . It sounds as though your broody hen may be killing them because she is inexperienced and doesn't know what she is doing. I recently had the same thing happen to me.
To answer your question, if the eggs are starting to smell I would remove them. However, I would candle them first. That is where you take a strong, bright flashlight and a dark room; you shine the light through the eggshell. I find that shining it up close and at the air sack end usually lets me see things the best. You would be looking for the chick to be moving. At 19 to 21 days, it will be pretty hard to see in there due to the size of the chick if it developed all the way.
Another thing you could do is to put the damaged egg inside a clear ziploc type bag, zip it closed and then try to slowly remove the egg shell inside the bag. The bag is in case it is rotten or if it explodes. This way all that stink and mess stays inside the bag! Go slowly incase you see signs that the chick is alive and well. In that case STOP! and put the egg/chick back. Chicks need the struggle of pushing out of the shell to correctly develop their legs. Often if they don't get to/ have to push out they have leg issues. Sometimes they can't even stand or walk. Good luck!

 

[SecondChanceRanch]

As the day progressed and I candeled them it looked like early death, but after cracking stinky yolk came out! I didn't continue to open. I think as she rolls them she may be puncturing them.

Fingers crossed the remaining ones make it. There is one so far that has chipped away all around in a circle. Chirping away, and you can see the little feathers in the crack. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Hopefully, a safe and happy baby!

 

[karenerwin]

Fingers crossed the remaining ones make it. There is one so far that has chipped away all around in a circle. Chirping away, and you can see the little feathers in the crack. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings. Hopefully, a safe and happy baby!

It sounds like you should have at least 1 cute little chickie!!

 

[Beer can]

I just leave them alone, hands off and don't even candle. The broody knows what she's doing instinctively.

 

[SecondChanceRanch]

I just leave them alone, hands off and don't even candle. The broody knows what she's doing instinctively.

It's amazing how little self control I had this afternoon! I am like a toddler making myself stay inside. I am intent on being mature enough to leave her alone and to keep my hands to myself. Just SO exciting!

 

[Beer can]

It's amazing how little self control I had this afternoon! I am like a toddler making myself stay inside. I am intent on being mature enough to leave her alone and to keep my hands to myself. Just SO exciting!

I know what you mean lol, even worse when you use a incubator cause your in full control. Once some hatch I wait a day or two, sometimes the broody does not want to stop sitting, I remove all unhatched eggs after a couple days so broody will take care of her chicks. Sometimes all hatch, sometimes only one or two. And be very very careful removing unhatched eggs, I've had them explode like a firecracker in my face
Nothing better than watching mamma and the flock, roosters the best, raising chicks naturally. Way better than using a incubator IMHO.
Good luck on your hatch!

 

[SecondChanceRanch]

I know what you mean lol, even worse when you use a incubator cause your in full control. Once some hatch I wait a day or two, sometimes the broody does not want to stop sitting, I remove all unhatched eggs after a couple days so broody will take care of her chicks. Sometimes all hatch, sometimes only one or two. And be very very careful removing unhatched eggs, I've had them explode like a firecracker in my face
Nothing better than watching mamma and the flock, roosters the best, raising chicks naturally. Way better than using a incubator IMHO.
Good luck on your hatch!

Excited!!! And, that would be SO Gross especially if it's anything like I smelt today!!

 

[SecondChanceRanch]

So far we have 1!