help ! advice for late egg which is "cheaping"

[cathyschickens]

have successfully hatched 1-2 eggs per batch( 3 batches in total) previously with my broody hen, and have had 6 eggs under for more than 21 days. My husband decided they must all be bad eggs so went to open one and found a chick inside. He hastedly put them back under and a second chick hatched. Now 4 days later we presume the other 4 are definitely bad, but I can hear one "cheaping". What do I do? there is no sign of any brocken part of shell. Should I encourage it by craking the shell with something, or wetting the egg, or give up as it will be a weak/disabled chick? Bred for domestic/egg laying pets. Many thanks for any advice.

 

[fried green eggs]

If the hen collected eggs as she was sitting, they may hatch on different days. I wouldn't pip the egg. Hearing it doesn't mean its absorbed the yoke yet and ready to hatch.

 

[cathyschickens]

Many thanks for your reply. I'm in the UK so it's "tea time" over here, and wasn't sure if anyone was up yet in the US ! The "fertilized" eggs were donated from a neighbour, as we have no cockerel and all placed together when she started going broody. She has been extremely diligent and not left them and it has now been 4 days since the first one hatched which seems far too long !

 

[fried green eggs]

Why don't you candle them with a really bright flash light. See if there is any movement in them if they are bad.

 

[mstricer]

Many thanks for your reply. I'm in the UK so it's "tea time" over here, and wasn't sure if anyone was up yet in the US ! The "fertilized" eggs were donated from a neighbour, as we have no cockerel and all placed together when she started going broody. She has been extremely diligent and not left them and it has now been 4 days since the first one hatched which seems far too long !

Has the hen tried to leave the nest with the babies? If not then she probably still feels movement in the eggs. She will get up when her hatch is done. Congrates on the new babies. Nighty- Nite
Michele

 

[cathyschickens]

no need for candle - it pipped last night and is in the middle of hatching ! - many thanks for the confidence to just leave them alone and not interfere. Just 3 eggs left which I'll leave until past the weekend and then candle them as you say. Hen is being a very good first time mother as she is only 1 year old herself and is still sititng on eggs so presume they are god ones on that basis, and also teaching chick to eat crumbs, Really pleased I found this website! thanks guys.