Dud Eggs - What to do?

[Oosik]

My first try at incubating went well. I had 24 of 33 hatch and all but two of the baby chicks survived and are doing well. Five of the unhatched eggs clearly did not have anything develop. Four eggs appear to have a chick - but I'm on day 24 and figure they probably wont hatch. Do most of you open the unhatched dud eggs to see what was going on? If so, what do I look for?

 

[Cairina moschata]

I've hatched some at 25 days that were fine but that was due to temp issues and all the eggs hatched on that date. I've never had much luck with eggs that hatch after day 24-25 when the rest of the eggs hatched on time (21-22 days). I always crack the dud to check out at what stage the chick stopped developing, there are some nice site online with pics of development by day.

 

[debilorrah]

I would wait one more day, and then open it. You should be looking to see if it is underdeveloped, too wet, too dry, etc.

 

[babsbag]

The egg that my broody pushed out of her nest on day 22 darn near exploded when I tapped it to crack it open. And boy, did it STINK. Clear ones have just been that, clear. But ones that have started to devleop and quit can be a bomb, literally. I guess she knew to get rid of it. I would open them some place outside. I just wanted to see how far developed it was so I could try and tell if it died during hatch or earlier in the incubation. It wasn't fully developed and being as '"rotten" as it was I decided it was an early quitter.

 

[patnjess]

I never have the stomach to do it, i just can't i know your suppose to but I cant

 

[rancher hicks]

I figure what's the point? Though I've read all about hatching and problems I still don't know how to prevent some of them. The positioning of the chick I expect has to do with the turning and this can result in a chick getting stuck in the egg. I don't understand the "shrink wrap" thing as a broody hen has eggs out in the open air when she hatches.
I think a lot has to do with the strength of the chick and that has to do with the breeding stock. Right?

 

[Oosik]

Well, I opened up the eggs that I had candled and saw there was a chick inside. All four were fully formed but dead chicks - but I couldn't see anything that would explain why they couldn't break free. Seeing the chick inside the egg made me realize how remarkable it is that any chick can break free. It's a pretty confined space and I can only hope they don't get claustrophobic.

 

[panner123]

Quote:
Any egg the broody kicks out is no good. You can take that to the bank. If you put it back and she sets it, the chick will not make a good full grown chicken. Mother Nature knows best.

 

[fowlweather]

What would the diagnosis be for a chick without an internal pip, who is fully feathered, yolk sac not fully absorbed, and the inside of the membrane is very wet? Is this an indication of high humidity? in the incubator or in the hatcher? Does the fact that it is fully feathered point to death at a certain day within the incubation period? Where could I find some pics showing chicks which did not hatch at varous stages?

Thanks
Fowlweather

 

[fowlweather]

Thought I would bump this up and see of anyone had any ideas concerning my question.

Fowlweather