I candled my eggs on day 18 but there is empty space

[XseankellyX]

I just candled my buff orpington eggs on day 18 (yesterday, they are on lock down now)
the chicks were moving and healthy but there is a relatively large empty space at the pointy end of the egg. Its day 19 now and i know that they will probably hatch late, but i hope they dont. does anyone know why they might be small or what will happen?

 

[sumi]

That is the air sac and it's normal. It develops during incubation and when hatching starts the chick pips internally, into that air space, to breathe before it pips through the shell.. But it should be at the fat end of the egg... How were the eggs positioned during incubation? On their sides, fat end up or pointy end up?

 

[wolfandfinch]

I think I know what you mean - you could see the air sac at the fat end but there was also some space at the narrow end. My 18 day olds looked the same before lockdown - they hadn't filled the entire egg other than the air sac yet. I'm on day 22 and they haven't pipped or hatched. I'm hoping that they were just a little behind on developing and will come a little late.

 

[XseankellyX]

no, i know about the air sac but its the pointy end, its not filled up

 

[XseankellyX]

That is the air sac and it's normal. It develops during incubation and when hatching starts the chick pips internally, into that air space, to breathe before it pips through the shell.. But it should be at the fat end of the egg... How were the eggs positioned during incubation? On their sides, fat end up or pointy end up?

the air cell is in the normal position, but its empty in the pointy end, except for some veins

 

[wolfandfinch]

sounds like it's just small then, seeing veins is good! Another thread talks about this and they hatched just fine. I'm hoping mine are just a day or two behind. Good luck!

 

[XseankellyX]

sounds like it's just small then, seeing veins is good! Another thread talks about this and they hatched just fine. I'm hoping mine are just a day or two behind. Good luck!

would you mind giving me a link for that thread? thanks

 

[wolfandfinch]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...y-18-but-didnt-look-like-what-i-expected-help

 

[XseankellyX]

sounds like it's just small then, seeing veins is good! Another thread talks about this and they hatched just fine. I'm hoping mine are just a day or two behind. Good luck!

maybe mine will hatch late too, as yours are the same

 

[wolfandfinch]

yeah, maybe. I don't have any evidence of life though except I think that this morning (and yesterday morning) I heard pecking/tapping. No movement, no chirping, no pips. I'm just hoping that out of 24 eggs these kids get to see at least ONE chick :O

Also that's not my thread, I just experienced the same size issue.