Rotten or not?

[Northern WI]

My eggs are 2 days over the hatch date. Is there a for-sure way to tell which ones are rotten? Besides the smell? Thank you!

 

[Mahonri]

Welcome to BYC from AZ!!

Smell is usually the best way... I used to do a "slight shake" [CAREFULLY!]next to my ear. If it sounded sloshy at all... away to the garbage it went... if the chicks are dead inside you won't be able to tell the difference between good and dead other than the fact that they aren't hatching... at day 24 I usually "pipped" into the air cell and looked at what I could see... you should know right away if it is still alive... if you see movement...wet it in a paper towel and put it back in.

 

[bantiesrule]

Old timer test- Get a bucket of warm water (95-100 degrees - just like incubator temps). Float the egg in the water. If there is a live chick in there, it will wiggle.