Is this a pip?

[Jenny421]

We had a hen sitting on three eggs. Two hatched on Friday and there has been one left. I was getting ready to throw it out this morning, but saw this crack. I’m not sure if it’s a pip or if the egg is bad. I tried candling a while ago, but the shells seemed too dark and/or my light too dim. I think all the eggs were laid on the same day, but I’m not 100% sure. She gathered some eggs when We had company for the weekend and I wasn’t paying super close attention. I think 21 days should have been last Saturday 8/13.

 

[Tonyroo]

BTW, that egg looks stepped on.

 

[SilverBirds]

Yes, it looks like there is blood or something around the crack. There was a hairline crack in the egg yesterday and then the bigger one today.

Tap on the egg and hold it up to your ear. Do you here any cheeping or tapping back? If you don't here anything I'd gently pull of some of the shell.

 

[Jenny421]

Tap on the egg and hold it up to your ear. Do you here any cheeping or tapping back? If you don't here anything I'd gently pull of some of the shell.

Ok. I’ll do that and report back.

 

[Jenny421]

I think the hen was picking at the egg. The hole is bigger. But there is definitely no movement or peeping.

 

[Jenny421]

Ok. I’ll do that and report back.

Ok. I’ll do that and report back

Most likely the case. Sorry he did not hatch.

Well I’m happy to get one. And this is only the second time letting a hen sit on eggs so I’m grateful for the learning process of what could happen.

 

[WIchickMama]

Kinda looks like a crack--maybe a pip. Is she still sitting on it? Can you hear any peeping?

 

[Jenny421]

Kinda looks like a crack--maybe a pip. Is she still sitting on it? Can you hear any peeping?

She left it yesterday for a while and the egg didn’t stay warm. It felt cold to the touch. She’s back to sitting on it and it’s hard to tell if there is peeping because the other baby chick is peeping, too. The other one died and never fully made it out of the egg.

 

[WIchickMama]

so you have an incubator at all? I mean you could remove it from the nest and just listen to that one and see if you hear anything or if it wiggles.

 

[Jenny421]

so you have an incubator at all? I mean you could remove it from the nest and just listen to that one and see if you hear anything or if it wiggles.

I don’t have an incubator. I’m not wanting to raise chicks on my own. I’m letting the hen do all the work and let nature take its course. I say that, but I would do anything to save one of the babies within reason.