Some eggs didn't hatch... when do I abandon?

[Chickeeta]

I set 34 Australorp eggs 23 days ago. Twenty-nine hatched between mid-day on Day 21 and the end of Day 22, and they are sooooooooo cute! It's now Day 23 and I have 5 eggs left in the incubator unhatched. One had a tiny pip hole that went nowhere.... I assume that one has died and the other 4 have no sign of any pipping. I've put all of them up to my ear and hear nothing. When do I "pull the plug" on those last 5? I know I should then take a look to see when things went wrong (if indeed they were all fertilized... my first time round and candling may not have been accurate), though I am NOT looking forward to that.

 

[NancyDz]

Some people let them go another day or two, for me I would pull the plug.. if they are that late, chances are the wont do well even if they hatch.

I find that putting the eggs in a ziplock back and cracking them to see what happens to be much more pleasant (if it can be pleasant! ) then you just throw away the bag , no mess, no stink.


Congrats on your hatch, that is a great percentage to hatch out your first time!

Australorp are my fav

Nancy

 

[Chickeeta]

Quote:
I like that idea... would have never thought of it. Thanks. Think I will give them until suppertime tonight and then get out the ziplocks!

 

[Chickeeta]

Decided there was no point in putting off the inevitable... had a final listen to the eggs.. nothing... so got out the ziplocs and had a look inside. All five were fully developed chicks but the 4 that had not pipped had not drawn the yolk sac into their abdomens. Not sure why they died... weaker, I guess. I was very pleased with my hatch rate, but they were a teeny bit slow and I blame that on my being cautious about the temperature. I was worried I would poach the little things and so never let the temperature get above 100 and probably ran it just under most of the time. I don't have a digital thermometer, just the one that came with my Havabator which means you are eyeballing it through the window which is also not perfect. Think I am going to order a digital thermometer with humidity indicator to make things a little easier. This was so much fun! I've just cleaned the bator and have another 42 eggs ready to go in... that will be last hatch of the year, I presume, since they need a good start on growing before they have to deal with winter!