Question about the float test on day 18 of development.

[JustmeN7]

Hi, I’m new here and I have a question about the float test. My chicken has been broody for almost two months! The first batch didn’t develop or rotted out. Of course I felt bad so we gave her 4 more eggs to sit on. She has been sitting on those eggs for 18 days. Unfortunately one of those eggs rotted out so of course I was concerned about the other ones. I did the float test to the other 3 one sunk all the way to the bottom but two stayed afloat. (See pic) I’m no expert and I’m learning as I go. What do you guys think about the results? Are these eggs viable or should I just buy baby chicks and have her adopt those. I just feel so bad since she’s determined to be a mama.

 

[Top Rooster]

Have you tried to candle them?

 

[JustmeN7]

Have you tried to candle them?

I did and like I said I’m new to all this. They all have an air pocket and a black like mass. It’s really hard to see in them. I don’t see veins but the black mass has grown quite significantly in the past week. I probably sound silly but it’s the best way to explain it..lol

 

[lazy gardener]

I think that the float test is a waste of time. It will tell you how large the air cells are. It will not determine if the chick inside is alive, dead, or viable. It may allow bacteria to wick through the pores of the egg.

Candling your eggs in a very dark room with a very good flashlight with new batteries will tell you all you need to know without subjecting the eggs to possible harmful treatment.

 

[Top Rooster]

It’s a good thing that you see a big black mass it means the chick has taken up most of the egg, which is good development for 18 days the chick is on track to hatching. I think the chick is alive unless it died very recently.

 

[oregonkat]

I agree with LG, the float test can be used as a very, very last resort for eggs that are days past their due date, not days prior. And as LG said, it can be a total waste of time and be detrimental to the developing chick. Patience needs to be your guide right now. You only have 3 days to wait to see if your hen will be a mom. The fact that your eggs that you candled showed mostly dark is a good thing. Leave them alone now and wait.....let your mama hen do her job!

 

[JustmeN7]

I think that the float test is a waste of time. It will tell you how large the air cells are. It will not determine if the chick inside is alive, dead, or viable. It may allow bacteria to wick through the pores of the egg.

Candling your eggs in a very dark room with a very good flashlight with new batteries will tell you all you need to know without subjecting the eggs to possible harmful treatment.

OMG! Really? I did not know that...I was hesitant to try it but since I couldn’t really see much when I candled them, I thought to try the float test. I read somewhere that a lady did it and most of the eggs sank to the bottom making them not viable, but she had candled them and felt different so she kept them and voila! They all hatched!! So you make a great point! Thank you for your input. I’m very new to all this but I’m learning as I go.

 

[JustmeN7]

I agree with LG, the float test can be used as a very, very last resort for eggs that are days past their due date, not days prior. And as LG said, it can be a total waste of time and be detrimental to the developing chick. Patience needs to be your guide right now. You only have 3 days to wait to see if your hen will be a mom. The fact that your eggs that you candled showed mostly dark is a good thing. Leave them alone now and wait.....let your mama hen do her job!

Lol! I know, I probably sound a bit hectic, but I’m really rooting for them to hatch! It’s the second time round so I’m crossing my fingers that she becomes a momma..thank you guys so much for your replies!! I feel hopeful now!

 

[lazy gardener]

Even though you are using a broody hen, I urge you to read all of Hatching Eggs 101 in the learning center. Much info there applies to embryo development, as well as candling hints, and other tricks of the trade to get a healthy chick. There are also some nice articles about hatching and raising chicks with a broody hen.

 

[50-45-1]

The float test where you put the eggs on water and observe if they float or sink is a test to determine how fresh an egg is and if it is safe to eat. ( the older the eggs get the larger the air bubble) I have never heard on anyone using this test on hatching eggs. First, you are not suposed to wash hatching eggs as you remove the natural germ barrier that is on an unwashed egg. This barrier keeps bacteria and germs from getting thru the shell and infecting the embrio. Secondly if you must see whats going on with your egg hatch (i never disturb a broody or the eggs in my incuator) you would candle them and you have to know what you are looking for at each stage of the 21 days it takes for a chick to develop. The more you mess with the eggs and or hen you lower there hatchability. If you have dunked these eggs in water several times you will be lucky if you end up with any chicks. Good Luck!