Mallard Eggs day 30 and no internal or external pip. HELP!!!

[WVduckchick]

Somebody else (different thread) said that they can't see movement for a whole week before hatch...   

It all depends. Candling is an art, I think. Tapping the egg gently should get movement, but they rest too, so it could be coincidence of not seeing movement at that particular time.

@Ducklove1202
gosh it's hard to tell.  No odor is great news.  No movement can go either way.  Definitely nothing in the air cell.  Can you do a float test? https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...ng-egg-viability-for-late-or-overdue-hatching

X2

I have done the float test. About 15 to 20% of the large end sticks out of the water, and small  movement can be seen.

If you saw independent movement in the water, then it is still alive.

 

[Ducklove1202]

It all depends. Candling is an art, I think. Tapping the egg gently should get movement, but they rest too, so it could be coincidence of not seeing movement at that particular time.
X2
If you saw independent movement in the water, then it is still alive.

No, tapping does not get movement. But I don't have the smallest clue where to tap! I have been tapping at the air cell on the top and nothing happens.

 

[WVduckchick]

No, tapping does not get movement. But I don't have the smallest clue where to tap! I have been tapping at the air cell on the top and nothing happens. 

But it did move, on its own, while floating???

That's the whole idea of the float test, because it can show any slight movement that can be hard to see while candling. But personally, I dont float test any more because I've seen too many false negatives. Its great confirmation of live ones! But too many times they appear to be dead and aren't. Opening a live one thinking its dead is horrible.

I'd suggest candling again, and specifically look for veins, or it should be full all the way up to the air cell. If there is clear-looking liquid between the chick and the air cell, with no visible veins, its likely dead.

 

[Ducklove1202]

It moved slightly on its own in the water. But, There is clear fluid. But not all the way around, the chick fills the whole shell up to the membrane. But there are some clear patches at the membrane. I'll draw a pic and post it. I am SO CONFUSED

!

 

[Ducklove1202]

It moved slightly on its own in the water. But, There is clear fluid. But not all the way around, the chick fills the whole shell up to the membrane. But there are some clear patches at the membrane. I'll draw a pic and post it. I am SO CONFUSED

!

 

[WVduckchick]

Now I'm confused, did we determine if this is mallard or Muscovy? Muscovys take 35-37 days to hatch. Mallards are usually around 28 days.

 

[Ducklove1202]

Yes, we have discovered that somehow, it is a Muscovy egg. Why she was sitting on Muscovy eggs, I have no clue.

 

[WVduckchick]

Then if its only day 33, you have a few more days to go. They take longer to develop and hatch.

 

[Ducklove1202]

Thank you! But is it normal for a little clear fluid too be visible?

 

[WVduckchick]

Thank you! But is it normal for a little clear fluid too be visible?

Well, usually with some fluid like that, they end up kinda sticky and gooey when they hatch. But with a few days to go, it could all clear up.