It’s Lockdown and air cell is on the wrong end!

[ChristinLewin]

Today is day 18 and one of my shipped eggs still has the air cell at the wrong end. How should I set this egg for lockdown?

Help! ASAP please

Day 10 air cell

Day 18, it’s moved to the other end of the shell and has a wonky shape

 

[JaeG]

At this stage don't panic. The chick will likely orientate itself towards the air cell and could even pip straight out. Most of the time they do just fine in that position but they will sit at the externally pipped stage for longer having skipped the internally pipped stage (up to 48 hours).

If you can lie it down to hatch that's probably best because you don't know which end the chick will pip, and see how things progress.

 

[ChickNanny13]

 

[ChristinLewin]

At this stage don't panic. The chick will likely orientate itself towards the air cell and could even pip straight out. Most of the time they do just fine in that position but they will sit at the externally pipped stage for longer having skipped the internally pipped stage (up to 48 hours).

If you can lie it down to hatch that's probably best because you don't know which end the chick will pip, and see how things progress.

It’s laying down with the other eggs, air cell up!

 

[JaeG]

It’s laying down with the other eggs, air cell up!

That's a good position because you should be able to see when and where the chick pips. Shipping does play havoc with eggs and both times I have tried to hatch from shipped eggs I had a malpositioned chick in both batches. I had one that didn't make it because its head was between its legs, but another one pipped at the small end (despite the air cell being at the large end) and she just needed a bit of help right at the end. She unzipped just fine but couldn't quite push out. Hopefully your baby is causing you a whole lot of worry over nothing.

Do let us know how it goes.

 

[ChristinLewin]

Will do!