It's too Bad....

[tiffanyh]

My Day 28 chicken passed away a few hours ago. Long story short, it had been incubated at low temps for a significant time due to a falty incubator. It was still moving until day 25. On day 26, I intervened, thinking that this late of a hatch must be a goner. But upon opening (after research how parrot owners assist in hatch) the air cell and found a spunky little chick moving, so I left it. It finally poked through this morning around 6am. There was a bit of bleeding from the membrane which leads me to believe it hadnt absorbed the yolk and blood yet. Anyway, it lived and struggled for a few hours and got weaker and died.

I am pretty sad . I knew all along it was a long shot but I was starting to get excited. After I opened the egg, the yolk was still not fully absorbed, which means it probably wasnt even going to hatch today, leading it into Day 29 of incubation. It also never peeped or made any noise. It opened its mouth to but nothing ever came out. Otherwise, it was a perfect little chicken.

Of course I am questioning my getting involved, as I knew I would. But really, 28 days???? Would it have a chance after coming out anyway??? All these "what ifs". I usually dont get attached but I worked so hard with this little egg that I did. Boohoo.......

Please dont tell me I should have left it alone, I cant take the critisism right now. I made a choice to intervene after a lot of research and incredible disbelief that an egg could go that long. I just posted this becuase I knew other "chicken people" would understand how your whole day can get ruined over one little chicken egg.

 

[mandolinmama]

OH i'm so sorry to heat that! I was really rootin for you! I had been reading your other posts on here and I really hoped you would be able to help.
Please try not to feel too bad. You did everything you knew to do. You got on here and asked for advise, you did extra research and did the only thing you felt you could have.
Try not to feel too guilty about this. That baby might not have pulled through and hatched even if you had left it alone.
(((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))

 

[tiffanyh]

Thank you...I really need to hear that. I know, but Im still feeling quite sad about it.
Thanks for your kind words.....

 

[silkiechicken]

There was nothing more you can do. Let's say the chicken was supposted to hach at day 21, and even day 23 if it was late. Add to that the egg yolk can only support them for 3 days tops, day 26 and it's out of energy regadless of being in egg or not. Guess you can add 2 days to that for slow metabolism, but still, it ran out of internal energy to completely develop. So you tried your hardest but nature took it's course. Set another egg and try again!

 

[Poison Ivy]

Oh don't feel guilty it was just one of those things that happen. I would have done the same thing if it had been me. I was worried too about one of my eggs that had gotten cracked at day 14 and made the decision to cover the crack with melted crayon wax. I had told myself to not get my hopes up on it hatching & that it had probably already died. But I was going to wait until day 21 or later to make sure. I was shocked at day 19 it hatched. Very small but it hatched didn't think it was going to live. Its doing great so far thinking of naming it tiny dancer.

 

[tiffanyh]

The yolk had almost completely been absorbed and for a while it had been so active....I guess I just got my hopes up. I keep thinking if I had let it go alone, maybe....but it was already on DAY 28!!!! I have to stop and just go with the fact that I tried and did the best I could under the circumstances. Guilt...it's a horrible thing...and it seems to multiple when you become a mother too!!

I do have 6 more eggs on Day 10 now. Guess ill just have to look forward to that and let this go.