Is it alive?

[Kiki]

Is that green I'm seeing in the first picture?

 

[Kiki]

Warning Graphic pictures....





I went ahead and slowly opened the egg, I was about 98% certain it had died. I couldn’t stomach fully unfolding it. But it was definitely dead. Here are some pictures. As I have never opened an egg before it sure was interesting but I don’t know that I can tell what happened. View attachment 1970557View attachment 1970555View attachment 1970558 View attachment 1970556

@casportpony Is this the correct hatching position?

 

[casportpony]

@casportpony Is this the correct hatching position?

I don't think so. The beak should be tucked under the right wing.

https://thepoultrysite.com/articles/investigating-hatchery-practice-examining-the-hatch-debris
"Normal hatching position and the six recognised malpositions
(viewed from the top of the egg)

Normal Hatching Position

The normal hatching position is where the spine of the embryo runs parallel to the long axis of the egg and the beak is positioned underneath the right wing. The tip of the beak is directed towards the air cell in the blunt pole of the egg. When the beak is under the right wing, the wing holds the shell membrane away from the face of the embryo and thus gives the beak more freedom of movement. In addition, the wing helps stretch the inner shell membrane and helps the piercing of this membrane by the beak. In this way, the embryo gains access to the air cell of the egg and begins to ventilate its lungs.

If the head of the embryo has turned to the right, it stands a good chance of hatching. However, the actual hatching percentage will be influenced by whether the head is above or below the right wing or in the large end or small end of the egg.

Malposition 1 – Head between thighs

This is the normal position for the majority of 18-day old embryos and the head normally then begins to turn towards the air cell as the embryo assumes the normal hatching position on day 19. Embryos with their head between their thighs in the hatch debris probably represent either embryos dying around day 18 of incubation or, if still alive, embryos in which development has been retarded.

Malposition 2 – Head in small end of egg

Easily identified because the hocks, yolk sac and/or navel of the 18-day+ embryo are immediately visible on opening the shell over the air cell (Figure 19). This position is commonly seen in eggs that have been incubated upside down and is also more prevalent in eggs that have been incubated horizontally compared to eggs incubated with their large ends uppermost. The position can occur in eggs that have been incubated the right way up (especially those eggs with a rounder shape), eggs which have been exposed to high temperatures in the setters or when the angle of turning is too small. The frequency of this malposition is heavily influenced by the percentage of eggs that are set upside down. Ideally, the frequency of this malposition should be less than 10 per cent of total malpositioned embryos.

Eggs that have been set upside down can be reinverted up to day eight of incubation without ill effect. Inverting eggs after this time risks breaking the blood vessels in the chorioallantois which is beginning to attach itself to the shell membranes from day nine onwards. Embryos that are upside down on day 20 of incubation hatch at about 80 per cent of the normal rate.

Malposition 3 – Head turned to left

This malposition is more prevalent in eggs incubated large end up than eggs incubated horizontally. In many instances the beak will be above the left wing. When the head turns to the left it reduces the chances of hatching to about 20 per cent.

Malposition 4 – Beak away from air cell

The incidence of this position is five times greater in eggs incubated horizontally than large end up and is thought to be nearly always lethal. However, it is a difficult malposition to recognise.

Malposition 5 – Feet over head

A common malposition in which one foot or both feet become trapped between the head and the shell (Figure 20) and prevent the normal back thrusts of the head required to pip the eggshell. The feet of the embryo are also involved in the final rotation of the embryo as it cuts off the top of the eggshell to emerge from the egg. Thus, if the feet over head position has not prevented pipping of the shell, it may prevent the final rotation and escape of the embryo. This is usually the second most common malposition, representing about 20 per cent of the total malpositioned embryos.

Malposition 6 – Beak above right wing

This is usually the most commonly recorded malposition, representing 50 per cent or more of the total malpositioned embryos. Many embryos will have hatched from this position and it is often regarded as a natural variant of the normal hatching position. However, it has recently been suggested that an excess of embryos in this position could be an indication of embryos experiencing heat stress. Linoleic acid deficiency has also been linked to this malposition.

A combination of malpositions may occur in the same embryo."

 

[Whitnicrob]

Is that green I'm seeing in the first picture?

It was sort of grey. Not really white not green. I did feel like it may have had an ever so slight smell on that side. It also had a weird brown “burn” looking spot on the membrane on one part.near the small end of the egg. I’m thinking it never really moved in the egg. May have been stuck in the same position for days on end.

 

[Kiki]

It was sort of grey. Not really white not green. I did feel like it may have had an ever so slight smell on that side. It also had a weird brown “burn” looking spot on the membrane on one part.near the small end of the egg. I’m thinking it never really moved in the egg. May have been stuck in the same position for days on end.

I'm afraid there are just too many unknowns with this egg so you will probably never know why it quit.

 

[Kiki]

Have you ever thought about raising quail?

I have eggs if you want to practice hatching some, just let me know and I'll give you some.

 

[Whitnicrob]

It was sort of grey. Not really white not green. I did feel like it may have had an ever so slight smell on that side. It also had a weird brown “burn” looking spot on the membrane on one part.near the small end of the egg. I’m thinking it never really moved in the egg. May have been stuck in the same position for days on end.

You can actually see the spot I’m talking about in one of the photos.

 

[Whitnicrob]

It kind of looked like it tried to pip internally and failed. I think combination of bad positioning and a thick membrane. From what I could tell the membrane seemed quite thick compared to other parts. I’m guessing it just couldn’t pop through. I know I won’t know for sure. Just using it as a learning experience. We are very new to farm life all together. Chickens and goats so far. Wouldn’t know the first thing about quail. Thanks for being so attentive today. I appreciate it. I will work on my thermometers and incubator and try again when I’m ready. It was hard to see it fail, but so fascinating.

 

[casportpony]

I’m that lady who finds an abandoned egg and purchases day old chicks for friends and an incubator. Haha

You sound like a lot of us.

 

[Kiki]

It kind of looked like it tried to pip internally and failed. I think combination of bad positioning and a thick membrane. From what I could tell the membrane seemed quite thick compared to other parts. I’m guessing it just couldn’t pop through. I know I won’t know for sure. Just using it as a learning experience. We are very new to farm life all together. Chickens and goats so far. Wouldn’t know the first thing about quail. Thanks for being so attentive today. I appreciate it. I will work on my thermometers and incubator and try again when I’m ready. It was hard to see it fail, but so fascinating.

Did you happen to notice or check to make sure the yellow yolk sack was completely absorbed? Stomach area.