Is my chick alive?

[Jetblack2004]

I have one egg on it's own in the incubator that I took from a broody hen two days ago. Yesterday, it was cheeping lots and I was sure I could hear it pipping internally. I gave the egg a good spray with water and shut the lid of the incubator. This morning there was no external pip. I tapped the egg and it didn't cheep at all. So i candled it to see if it was moving but it is lying still in the egg. I'm really hoping its just tired and is sleeping, but do you think it might have died overnight.
It had a good, healthy chirp yesterday. I don't understand why it has stopped doing anything.
Any thoughts?
-Jet

 

[abraga]

What was your temp and humidity in your incubator? If the humidity was to low the chicks may not be able to hatch. Humidity needs to be at a minimum of 65%.

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Never spray the egg directly with water. You can drown them.

What day is it on? What is the temp and humidity?

During lockdown, humidity needs to be at at least 55% up to 75%. It might be alive. At this point, I'd probably candle and then make a pip on the air cell and see what's going on.

 

[Jetblack2004]

What was your temp and humidity in your incubator? If the humidity was to low the chicks may not be able to hatch. Humidity needs to be at a minimum of 65%.

The temp is 37.4 and last time I checked the Humidity was about 60%.

Never spray the egg directly with water. You can drown them.

What day is it on? What is the temp and humidity?

During lockdown, humidity needs to be at at least 55% up to 75%. It might be alive. At this point, I'd probably candle and then make a pip on the air cell and see what's going on.

I don't know what day it's on. I took the egg out from underneath a hen and I don't know when she started sitting. The reason I've upped the humidity and taken the egg off the turner is because I could hear it tapping against the shell yesterday.
I've never tried making a hole in an egg before. I really don't want to hurt it!

Thank you both!
-Jet

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

Candle it and see how the air cell looks and how big the chick is.

Since you don't know how far along it is, then it's probably best not to try anything just yet.

When I open an egg, I usually tap the shell where the air cell is with my pocketknife until the shell breaks, then peel it back and see what is happening. If there is any blood, stop and let it rest.

Go with your gut. If you think it needs help, open it.

 

[Jetblack2004]

Thank you TKGF! The help is great. I'll leave it for a bit and then candle it again.
I'll update you later

-Jet

 

[abraga]

Candle the egg and try to determine if it has internally pipped. If its still alive.. Up the humidity a bit..id put it at 70% since its a single egg. If it was cheaping...it most likely has internally pipped. If it humidity was to low it is probly shrink wrapped and may need assistance at this point to hatch. If u do open the egg and the membrane appears very white/dry then it needs help.

 

[Jetblack2004]

I candled it again.... it's still not moving.
I can't even see a hearbeat. Does that mean it's dead? When they are resting, should you be able to see some movement?
It's not looking great.

-Jet

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

You can't see the heartbeat. It's only visible sometimes during the early stages of incubation, definitely not now.

No, when they're resting, there usually isn't any movement and it is pretty quiet. You might want to try to make a little hole now. It probably wouldn't hurt anything, especially since it isn't looking great right now. Just stop if there is blood.

 

[Jetblack2004]

Ok, thanks. It makes me feel a little better if I shouldn't be able to see a heartbeat any way.

I'm a little nervous about making a hole. If the chick IS alive and fine, I might hurt it accidently. I'm going to wait until tomorrow morning. If there is still nothing, I'll try making a tiny hole.
Knowing me, I'd start and then realise that I'm making a hole at the wrong end.

I really do appreiciate the help!

-Jet