Float test and delayed hatching

[sophiajw23]

My second batch of chicks was "due" last Friday. 5 babys hatched out of 12 shipped eggs. I kept the unhatched eggs in the incubator just incase. Sunday one more hatched. Did the float test and they all floated with only the tip above water. That means they are still good right? How long do I keep them in for? It would kill me to crack one open and find a living chick.

 

[horseyjess]

Just cause they float doesnt mean they are still alive. It just means they developed and have an air sack. Did they bob around uring the float test? The movement tells you theya re still alive in the egg.

 

[Gypsy07]

Hmm... If none had hatched, I'd say there was a good chance your temps were a bit low, and to keep them in and wait a bit. But if six of them have already hatched, and they're all the same breed and from the same parent birds, I'd say it's probably not likely you're going to get any more out. That one on Sunday was probably the 'late' one and the last one that's going to hatch. If you float an overdue egg and the chick is wriggling around inside and trying to hatch, the egg would be jumping and bouncing around and you'd see lots of ripples in the water.

By all means leave them in the bator a bit longer, it won't do any harm. Some folk have had chicks hatch out as late as day 27, I think...

 

[sophiajw23]

I will redo the float test tonight and watch for movement. I don't think they were moving

 

[Gypsy07]

If they're not moving, it doesn't always mean for definite that they're not alive in there.
But at this stage, if they were alive and healthy, I'd be expecting to see some major ripples.

You do know that 6/12 is actually a really good hatch rate for shipped eggs?

 

[sophiajw23]

I know!!!! I was so excited!! Our first hatch was 2/7 so I'm glad it's improved. I'm a natural lol. I'm so addicted!!!