How do you tell if a chick is dead (inside the egg) at day 23

[Burbs03]

it is day 23 and 3 out of 6 hatched in the last few days, the other ones showed no signs of life. I broke open the air cell of one of them and it hasn't even piped yet, it didn't move at all yet, neither of the other ones moved or chirped yet. Is there a way to tell if they are still alive?

 

[HenPennySC]

Good question. I posted on this thread today. No replies. Hope you have better luck.

 

[TattooedChicks]

I'm no expert, just an avid reader here, and I'm sure someone could answer you way better. But from what little I have gleaned, the most common answer seems to be wait.

If another day or two goes by with no action, or if you notice a rotten odor, likely the chick didn't make it to hatching.

 

[Burbs03]

Ok thanks, I have three eggs in the incubator right now and I caught two moving

 

[AmyLynn2374]

If by day 23 there are no internal pips, no movement, no reaction to tapping on the egg and candling, then it's a good bet they are gone. Especially if it's been 24-48 hours after the last hatcher.

 

[Burbs03]

Ok thanks