How do you know if the unhatched chicks are dead or not?

[lovechooks]

I have a young Orphington hen that went broody in early March. I set her with 6 eggs and two chicks hatched out on Saturday (day 21), but one died. There are 2 more eggs she is sitting on, but I don't think they have viable chicks inside. I would hate to kill a chick, and I am so new to this: how long to wait until you can tell if they are dead? I got 6 live chicks from the feed store on Saturday so I can add them to her brood, and have her foster them. Do you think it will work? I need to know how to tell if the other eggs are duds so I can move the new chicks under foster mom at night. Any suggestion? I have tried to read forums for tips but I read about incubators not broody hens.

 

[fried green eggs]

Smell the eggs. If a chick had started developing and died it will stink. If it smells ok do a float test in 100 deg. water - if it floats toss it.

 

[lovechooks]

So, if they don't smell, and they sink in the water, that means there is possibly a live chick inside. Correct? Do I leave it for her to hatch out or wait for her to get off it. She has one hatched chick to tend to and is getting up to eat with it and then going back to sit on the other 2 eggs. How long should I wait until I bring in the foster babies. I have been reading that some people left the eggs and more chicks hatched out. I would hate to kill one.

 

[fried green eggs]

No smell and it sinks could also mean it is not fertilized so, no chick at all. If you have a really bright flashlight, you could candle them in total darkness and see if has a chick.

 

[Kendratn]

Ok I have a egg at 21 days. Huge air pocket. I collected all
Eggs on a Saturday. All hatched but two. Both look to have growth in them brown eggs so hard to see. All the others hatched at 19 days. Do I keep waiting?? There is no sound in shell and I can’t see any placement of chick just huge air pocket. And will the water test help
Me? There is no smell either