Double Yolk 2018-2019 - DIS

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

I am SO sorry! But - here's a silver lining. There's a lesson in this for ALL of us. With every lost twin egg I've followed, the chicks are rockin' and alive one day ... and dead the next, still in the shell. The action seems to stop at right about "Projected Hatch Day."

A quick flashback here ... Years ago, we had a Pekin duckling with a shell that broke - badly - three days before its' due date. We ended up removing all of the shattered pieces (at least half of the shell) and keeping it moist and under the lights for a few days. "Hathaway" stayed curled up in his fetal position until his projected hatch date. Right on schedule, he uncurled himself, looked around and announced his hungry presence to the world.

So ... I know I'm reaching here, but human and other twins tend to come early, often simply due to lack of space. I can't imagine that it's any different with chickens. There can't possibly be enough space in that egg for two babies to pip and zip properly.

So ... I'm thinkin' that maybe an assisted hatch is called for, not just a possibility - kinda like a c-section for peeps. If they are still are still active and healthy on Day 21, it may be time to "Do a Hathaway" and remove enough shell for them to move around when they're ready.

I don't know, though. This is all hunch and theory, since I've never dealt with a double yolker and my only real experience is with an age-old lucky-duck egg. Those of you who have dealt with this before, what do you think?

I think the problem with chicken eggs is they don’t absorb the yolk until the last second. Any interference would jeopardize the chicks, and mostly it also comes down to whether they would live or not passed that. The first one I set one of the chicks was fully developed and the other wasn’t. It tried to pip and ended up bursting the other’s yolk sac due to lack of space in the shell.

 

[MROO]

I think the problem with chicken eggs is they don’t absorb the yolk until the last second.

That's a valid point. Our little Hathaway still had a huge yolk sac when his egg broke. It was creepy to see, but it slowly absorbed over the next few days until it almost completely disappeared. By the time he decided it was time to debut, it was nearly gone and covered by downy fluff.
I wouldn't recommend interceding that early for any babies. We only did it because the egg was already shattered and we thought he was a goner. We were shocked that he was still alive ... and even more shocked that he thrived. He was one very spoiled duckling, I can honestly tell you! It just got me to thinking that, if a double was opened up at day 21, when the babies would be fully (or close to fully) developed, anyway, it would be a risk worth taking. Just a thought ... in case you try another double ...

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

That's a valid point. Our little Hathaway still had a huge yolk sac when his egg broke. It was creepy to see, but it slowly absorbed over the next few days until it almost completely disappeared. By the time he decided it was time to debut, it was nearly gone and covered by downy fluff.
I wouldn't recommend interceding that early for any babies. We only did it because the egg was already shattered and we thought he was a goner. We were shocked that he was still alive ... and even more shocked that he thrived. He was one very spoiled duckling, I can honestly tell you! It just got me to thinking that, if a double was opened up at day 21, when the babies would be fully (or close to fully) developed, anyway, it would be a risk worth taking. Just a thought ... in case you try another double ...

I don’t really have any desire to do another double but I said that last time too. You have a valid point though! I think the test group would have to be leghorn eggs since they are easily seen through, not a marans egg like I used. Hard to find a beak when you can’t even see in it after day 5.

 

[MarlyMonster]

That's a valid point. Our little Hathaway still had a huge yolk sac when his egg broke. It was creepy to see, but it slowly absorbed over the next few days until it almost completely disappeared. By the time he decided it was time to debut, it was nearly gone and covered by downy fluff.
I wouldn't recommend interceding that early for any babies. We only did it because the egg was already shattered and we thought he was a goner. We were shocked that he was still alive ... and even more shocked that he thrived. He was one very spoiled duckling, I can honestly tell you! It just got me to thinking that, if a double was opened up at day 21, when the babies would be fully (or close to fully) developed, anyway, it would be a risk worth taking. Just a thought ... in case you try another double ...

There have been studies done using surrogate egg shells to incubate chicks, where they remove part of the side and cover it back up with something clear later. In theory that could be a possible solution for doubles but when working with surrogate vessels there’s a looooooooot of added work and equipment needed. But in theory it could be an option!

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

I opened the egg! One died around Day 18, and the other one (smaller) was probably at Day 20. Both had visible yolk sacs, and both would have been pullets.

 

[Kiki]

I opened the egg! One died around Day 18, and the other one (smaller) was probably at Day 20. Both had visible yolk sacs, and both would have been pullets.

 

[Kiki]

Did you take pictures?

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

Did you take pictures?

I did not. My parents were busy being grossed out over it.

 

[MarlyMonster]

I did not. My parents were busy being grossed out over it.

I totally know that feeling...

 

[littleprairieheartsfarm]

I totally know that feeling...

I'm in school for veterinary medicine, nothing phases me anymore. They were super proud of that fact, but just couldn't get passed it themselves.