Testing eggs in water?

[dancingbear]

The air cell will be above the water line, so I don't think 30 seconds in the water is going to do any damage. They breathe through their nostrils, which, at this point, should be in the air space, which is above the water line. Also, by the time you're checking for signs of life in an egg that's overdue to hatch, bacterial growth isn't that big an issue. The protective "bloom", on an egg, under a hen, has long since been rubbed off by the hen.

WWD, my first post wasn't in response to you, it was because in another thread on this subject, some time ago, it was suggested that even a few seconds in the water could drown the chicks in the shell, and that they move because they think they're drowning.

We must have been typing at the same time, I didn't see your response until later.

 

[Sylviaanne]

The air cell will be above the water line, so I don't think 30 seconds in the water is going to do any damage. They breathe through their nostrils, which, at this point, should be in the air space, which is above the water line. Also, by the time you're checking for signs of life in an egg that's overdue to hatch, bacterial growth isn't that big an issue. The protective "bloom", on an egg, under a hen, has long since been rubbed off by the hen.


WWD, my first post wasn't in response to you, it was because in another thread on this subject, some time ago, it was suggested that even a few seconds in the water could drown the chicks in the shell, and that they move because they think they're drowning.


We must have been typing at the same time, I didn't see your response until later.

I was wondering and worrying about this recently. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Pollmadoll]

I am now facing this very dilemna. I have five eggs that I have been candling now for a few days now. They are under a very attentive and patient broody hen. I last candled them this am ,as far as I can see they have a healthy air cell and are full of chick. Also I believe they are three days late past their 21 days . But I can see no obvious movement . So I am now tempted to float them in water to see if they are alive? Ihave successfully hatched over two years in an incubator . This time I feel very uncertain?,., Please advise as I need to know how much longer the broody can sit on them if they are dead inside . I do not want them to explode. This am I have put three newly laid eggs under her.