how to make a hole in a non-pipped egg?

[gameboygal12]

This egg is on day 23 and no pipping or anything at all. I have a bad feeling it's stuck or unable to get out. So I just wanted to poke a tiny hole in the air cell and see if that would help it. But what would I use to gently peel the shell away when there's no pip? any suggestions?

 

[tinychicky]

it might be a dud. can you hear peeping if you hold it to your ear? if not, tip it back and forth. if there is a sort of flopping noise, it's a dud and you can crack it open if you need to prove it to yourself (i know i always do

). if there is no flopping noise then leave it in another day or two. if it's STILL not hatched, then carefully crack the shell a little bit and peel away the membrane to see if there is a live chick inside.

 

[Southernbelle]

Have you candled to make sure the chick is alive in there?

Personally, I never interfere with the hatching process and I'm a big fan of just leaving them alone and letting nature take its course.

 

[madamwlf]

This is how I've made holes. Not sure if it is right. I have a little pick used with walnuts. I candle to see where the chick is and where the air sac is. I use the pick to tap a hole into the air sac end.

 

[gameboygal12]

Quote:
I candled this morning and I saw it move the tiniest bit. the last time I candled it, it was moving around a lot more. I think it's ether shrink wraped or something because it's not even in the air cell yet.

 

[gameboygal12]

Quote:
I don't have a walnut pick thing. Any other tool you can think of besides tweezers?

 

[tinychicky]

maybe sterilize a small nail and tap it gently in? i don't know, sometimes impatience on the part of the hatcher is what kills the chick. i'd just leave it alone.

 

[gameboygal12]

Quote:
Does it hurt the chick if you make a hole in the aircell? I'd hate to open the egg a few days from now and see it dead and thinking I could have saved it!

My other eggs died so this is my one last precious egg

 

[Griffin Nest]

try taking it out and putting it on a flat surface to see if it moves

 

[gameboygal12]

*UPDATE*: I just candled it, It MOVED!! that little booger just doesn't want to hatch yet!!