Late hatch - when shall I give up?

[MadChickenLis]

Advice please. Have a batch of 13 eggs now on day 22 in an incubator I've used before and a friend has recently had a successful hatch with. All were still viable on lockdown on day 18 but are showing no signs of hatching now... Have upped the humidity and candled a selection of them today - clear air bubbles, veins and very full of dark shape, although haven't seen any movement. Should I despair? Or hope it's just a late hatch?

I've never had any go later than pipping at 19, hatch by 21 in this incubator before, although it's three years since I used it, and I think the temperature may have been lower than previously. My jam thermometer shows it at a stead 99.5/100 degrees though!

Any advice/support/comforting words would be welcome...

Oh, also listened to a few and heard no tapping sounds at all

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I would wait another day or two. Then I'd check them. Maybe try the water test as long as there aren't any cracks. I hope it all works out for you.

 

[MadChickenLis]

OK, will give it to the end of the week. The water test - is that where you see if they float and wiggle? To show up if there's any movement inside?

 

[BayBay Peepers]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ng-egg-viability-for-late-or-overdue-hatching

Here's the link I used when I did it.

If it sinks or raises more than 45% above the water pitch it. If it bobs a bit or barely floats it's still viable.

 

[MadChickenLis]

That's great, thanks.

 

[MadChickenLis]

Good tip - did the the lot and isolated 7 that were definitely duds on opening them. Four had hardly got started and three had given up fairly recently. Only thing is, of the remaining six four sank, but were still moving around like crazy! Have put them all back in the incubator and am keeping everything crossed...

 

[BayBay Peepers]

hope it works!