Should I remove and egg i'm not sure about on day 18 or wait?

[princessmama]

We have eight chicken eggs we got from a neighbor, various breeds. This is our first time incubating. I candled the eggs tonight and one of the eggs, I think it is a banty because it is very small and roundish, seems like the air cell fills up half the egg. This just happened this week as it was fine before. I just read that small eggs dry out quickly, so I guess this is the problem since we have mixed sizes. So, i'm guessing the chick probably isn't alive still?? Should I remove the egg, because of the possibility of rotting, or should I leave it?

 

[barnwife]

I would leave it, and maybe put the egg on top of a wet washrag while the others set around the bator.

At day 18, it's anyone's guess...just read a few threads and you will find that MANY people have seen things go either way no matter what is tried!

Courage! Hope! Good luck on your hatch!

 

[Mahonri]

Yup, it's worth a shot. Here's to a good hatch!

 

[princessmama]

Thanks I will leave it. I would rather! I've just heard about eggs exploding and such... I've been scanning through the forum looking for info, there's a lot to sift through

I'll try the wet washrag too.

We're so excited about our first chickens, I think I will be more disappointed than the kids if they don't hatch! They look good tho, the little wigglers

 

[princessmama]

Guess what!!! This little chick was the very first one out of the shell!

 

[metcalfmk]

Congratulations!!! And as far as the exploding egg thing goes, you will more than likely be able to smell a 'bad' egg for a while before it blows!

Good luck with your hatch

 

[nivtup]

Congrats

The little ones always seem to be first out.

 

[princessmama]

Quote:
Thanks

I wondered about smelling the egg first, so I wasn't TOO worried once I thought about it a little more...

My kiddos just got to see a chick push it's way out of the shell and they were nearly breathless--lil' cuties