Hen moved out of nest and left eggs behind

[PrincessTrudeia]

Hey,

I have a hen that has hatched out 2 chicks. She had 2 eggs left under her today (today will be day 23 - at 3:30). She took the chicks out of the nest for the first time today and after 10 minutes laid down in the corner of the coop with them and didn't go back on the nest. I did the water test last night with no sign of movement. Is this her knowing that the eggs are unviable? I wanted her to sit a couple more days to be sure (we are hand feeding and watering all three). It's been 20 minutes.

What should I do? Should I do anything? I've read about eggtopsies, which I am not thrilled to do, but I will if there's a chance of saving anything. I might be able to find someone with an incubator, but I don't know

Help!

 

[wrenhillfarm]

I would candle the eggs(with a flash light) Just to be sure they are not dead.if they are alive the blood vessels with be red and there should be not dark line going across the whole egg. Send pictures of what you see. If they are alive you can get a heating pad and turn it up to 99.9 degrees and cover the top with feathers or a blanket.

 

[PrincessTrudeia]

I would candle the eggs(with a flash light) Just to be sure they are not dead.if they are alive the blood vessels with be red and there should be not dark line going across the whole egg. Send pictures of what you see. If they are alive you can get a heating pad and turn it up to 99.9 degrees and cover the top with feathers or a blanket.

She JUST went back and laid down on them.

Maybe I will have to look up what I am looking for when I candle. When I did it yesterday, I didn't see much. I likely don't have a good setup to do that well. I'll look it up and give it another go and post the pictures.

Thank you!

 

[wrenhillfarm]

She JUST went back and laid down on them.

Maybe I will have to look up what I am looking for when I candle. When I did it yesterday, I didn't see much. I likely don't have a good setup to do that well. I'll look it up and give it another go and post the pictures.

Thank you!

Ok! Good luck!

 

[PrincessTrudeia]

I would candle the eggs(with a flash light) Just to be sure they are not dead.if they are alive the blood vessels with be red and there should be not dark line going across the whole egg. Send pictures of what you see. If they are alive you can get a heating pad and turn it up to 99.9 degrees and cover the top with feathers or a blanket.

Here are the pics of the first egg. Looks like bubble in the air cell, which I assume means the egg is not good...

 

[PrincessTrudeia]

I would candle the eggs(with a flash light) Just to be sure they are not dead.if they are alive the blood vessels with be red and there should be not dark line going across the whole egg. Send pictures of what you see. If they are alive you can get a heating pad and turn it up to 99.9 degrees and cover the top with feathers or a blanket.

Here's the second. The air cell looks partially detached? Or completely, I don't know. I took one picture on the side so you could see what it does when tipped.

 

[PrincessTrudeia]

Second