Saddled Air Sac? Candling Advice?

[hollandhens24]

The dark egg is on day 23 and I am wondering if it has quit developing/ died. Upon candling a few days ago, veins were visible that I can no longer detect and I am curious if these pictures show a blood ring. The speckled egg should be on day 9. I am very curious if I am looking at a saddled air sac and should be concerned about turning, or if the egg is developing normally.

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

It's a little hard for me to tell, the embryo does not look completely developed though.

 

[Debbie292d]

If that's all the same egg, it's dead. Otherwise, it's like I'm seeing two different eggs there. The first, if it's Day 23, you could leave it in another day but I'd guess it just died recently. What I see as a second egg never lived past about 10-14 days.

 

[hollandhens24]

If that's all the same egg, it's dead. Otherwise, it's like I'm seeing two different eggs there. The first, if it's Day 23, you could leave it in another day but I'd guess it just died recently. What I see as a second egg never lived past about 10-14 days.

Two different eggs. The second egg is only on day 9 at the time of the photo and I do see movement, so I am hopeful that it will continue to thrive. With the second egg I was concerned that perhaps the air sac was saddled, but it seems to be doing fine. The first egg had a fully developed, dead chick inside. I have not figured out why the chicks out of this hen specifically are fully developed but unable to hatch, but I suspect that it has to do with my humidity. This particular hen tends to lay dark brown or very heavy bloom eggs (she is a French copper Maran x australorp). The below photo is the first egg in the original post, just prior to eggtopsy. I love them for the color, which is why I am hoping to get chicks from her. Based on what I have read, I am curious if the 65-70% humidity range at lockdown is just too high for these chicks to hatch and they are drowning in the egg. I have kept the incubator at 45-50% for the first 18 days. I am starting to think this is a hatching project for next spring, as I am ready to end my incubating and brooding season and just enjoy my self sufficient ladies!

 

[Debbie292d]

65 to 70% is standard, even for ducks.

Have you calibrated your hygrometer? Maybe it's off.

Here's how:

Take a soda or water bottle cap and fill it with salt. Then add a bit of water so it's saturated, but not super wet. Put that cap in a zip lock bag with your hygrometer. Wait a minute or two, and it should read 75%.

 

[hollandhens24]

65 to 70% is standard, even for ducks.

Have you calibrated your hygrometer? Maybe it's off.

Here's how:

Take a soda or water bottle cap and fill it with salt. Then add a bit of water so it's saturated, but not super wet. Put that cap in a zip lock bag with your hygrometer. Wait a minute or two, and it should read 75%.

I have not calibrated, but certainly will. I haven't had issues that made me think I needed to, as my other eggs have done great. This one hen's eggs are my strugglers, but I know that calibrating won't hurt so I will definitely give that a try!