Egg hatch help

[findlayka]

I was given fertile eggs by a friend to allow my broody Rhode Island Red to sit on. She did a wonderful job with them until hatch day. Every time she heard a peep she pecked at the shell of the egg. One chick died as a result of this (membrane dried out). Another egg was broken by her "dancing" on the nest.

I made the decision to move the eggs to an separate location with controlled heat and humidity (it was a Rubbermaid tub in my garage- but we monitored heat and humidity as recommended in charts we found online).

After that we successfully hatched 5 eggs. One egg has yet to pip. All the eggs were candled and viable at 14 days. All eggs were also laid on the same day. They come from a wide variety of chicken breeds. When I candled the egg today (day 22) I can see the air sac and a large portion of the egg is dark. The egg is light brown and hard to see any membranes.

My question is - could this egg still be viable? How can I tell? I know I'm being impatient. I just love watching my chicks hatch! This is my first time hatching eggs at home.

 

[GitaBooks]

Rhode Island Reds have basically been bred out of going broody, which is why she may not know how to properly care for chicks, even though she is trying.

The eggs should be viable, though sometimes chicks can't break out of an egg. We've had to help more then one chick out and many have died before we could. But this isn't to panic you! Your chicks should hatch in there own good time.
You can carefully try introducing the chicks back to the broody (when they are stronger and dry), but if she shows any aggression it is best to keep them separate.

Best of luck with your new chicks!

 

[RubyNala97]

Here's a test to tell if the egg is still alive. Good luck!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ng-egg-viability-for-late-or-overdue-hatching

 

[MelissaZeno]

We just found an egg under my broody hen and she had stepped on it. The chick had peeped and had its beak out. it is still breathing but it hasn't absorbed all of the yolk. Is there any way to save this chick? The entire shell was broken and I helped it out of the sack but I don't know what to do now, Should I put it back under the hen?

 

[GitaBooks]

We just found an egg under my broody hen and she had stepped on it. The chick had peeped and had its beak out. it is still breathing but it hasn't absorbed all of the yolk. Is there any way to save this chick? The entire shell was broken and I helped it out of the sack but I don't know what to do now, Should I put it back under the hen?

Don't put it back under the hen! I did that a couple times with terrible and very sad and gross results. Keep it inside, warm and moist until it absorbs the yolk-sac and is dry, then you can slip it back under the hen.

Best of luck!

 

[MelissaZeno]

Thank you I have the little chick under and heat lamp waiting for her to dry.

 

[MelissaZeno]

How long will it take for the yolk to be absorbed?

 

[RubyNala97]

I've heard of people putting the chick in a coffee cup under the light until it absorbs. If the chick gets mobile and ruptures the sac, it will most likely die. Is it completely out of the shell?

 

[GitaBooks]

How long will it take for the yolk to be absorbed?

All my chicks that didn't fully absorb ended up dying. However, I've heard from others that there chicks survived with a little bit of care. It should be absorbed in a few hours to a day.

 

[Mamashash]

Wish I had known not to put a chick in this condition under the hen.
Now I know, but poor baby...