How to tell if the egg is still alive

[adorable]

How would i know if the egg is still alive.?I cant see inside any more. I heard something about a water test. What is that.also everyone talks about the heart beat. I can never find that.

 

[flakey chick]

Water test is only for the very last stage of hatching. Put the egg in a glass of water. If the chick is alive and at all viable, it should feel like it is drowning and struggle. The egg will move.

 

[adorable]

ahh really i cant do that.I think i will pass

 

[hrdwrkgrl]

hehehehe... I would pass on that too.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

If it not time to hatch I just wait. If its past time I open up the air-cell end an see if its alive. If it moves I wet it a little an it goes back in the bator, if not I stop there an throw it out.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Quote:
i've never heard of that. Sounds a bit harsh. Does the chick stand a chance of drowning from the water test?

From my personal experience, i only see the heart beat when the chick is first forming, maybe the first half of incubation. After it fills the egg more, i can't see the heartbeat and i don't see the chick move. i just keep all the eggs that may be viable in the incubator (or under a broody) until a day or two past hatch day. Then i might pick up unhatched eggs, tap on the large end with my fingernail and chirp. If you hear chirping back, someone is in there. If not, generally they are not viable.

 

[adorable]

ok..Thanks...

 

[flakey chick]

Enchanted,

I've never done it myself. I've only heard of it as a last ditch effort where the person was almost sure there was no hope, but just checking before they tossed it _just_in_case_.

 

[Enchanted Sunrise Farms]

Interesting. i think my last ditch effort would be to open the egg. Although, sometimes i just don't have the stomach for that.

 

[KTeacher]

How do you know which side is the air sack?