"Veins" but no chick?!?!

[GreenGoddess]

Ok... I'm doing staggered hatches and just had 12 chicks hatch.. I set 18 eggs 7 days ago and when I candled last night, there were 3 definite blood rings and 1 clear.. Normally on day 5-7 I can tell if the eggs are viable or not but this time I can't.. I saw veins in the rest (except for two that were too dark) but only saw an embryo in ONE! I normally see an embryo in the eggs by this time! The temp has been steady at 100 but of course hatching had made the humidity go up tremendously several times..

I've done this before and know what to look for and they don't look ANYTHING like they should but they don't look dead either.. I have more eggs to set but if the eggs that are already in there are not viable, I want to go ahead and cull them so I can have more room...

Is it possible that either the humidity has messed them up and done this or is the embryo just in the middle of the egg somewhere so I can't see it? In the 4 previous hatches I've done, I've never not been able to tell with eggs I can see through....

Goddess

 

[nivtup]

I always focus on veining early on. Many times I have not been able to see the embryo.

I would vote to keep them going til day 18, and candle again then.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

What are you incubating with? If you're staggering your hatches in a LG or other styrofoam incubator, you are severely decreasing your hatch rates.

 

[GreenGoddess]

I have a Hove Bator and this will be my third staggered hatch... So far, the hatches have been very good as far as rate... If the eggs are viable, then the hatch rate should be good on them as well... Guess i will just wait and see....

Goddess

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

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You could have just gotten lucky the three previous times.... or you could just in fact, have a batch of non-fertile eggs. Usually by day 7 you should be able to see SOMETHING.

My suggestion would be to sacrifice one of the clear eggs and break it open... outside of course, and see what you can see. It may be an insight to the others. If it has a bullseye, but no blood vessels, then they may have been old, or some other factor may be taking place. If its infertile, then that may mean you have a fairly infertile batch.

 

[GreenGoddess]

There is only one clear... The rest have veining so they are all fertile.. I know they are not old because they are all from my own birds and I have them all dated...

Goddess

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Ok... then I am thoroughly confused by your question.

You see veins, but no embryos, correct?

If you see veins, at day 7, then leave them alone. Those with blood rings should be taken out. The high humidity of the previous staggered hatches could have delayed growth by a day or two (although I would think it would accelerate it), just like low temperatures would/could. Either way, if you see veins I would wait until AT LEAST day 14 before doing anything.

 

[GreenGoddess]

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That's what i was thinking but wanted to get other opinions on it.. I know that right before a blood ring forms, there are streaks that can look like veins and thought this was maybe what I was looking at but, I guess only time will tell... I've just never had an egg at day 6 that I couldn't see an embryo along with the veins so i thought it was a little odd...

Goddess

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

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I've had them. I dont think its terribly uncommon. Good luck, hope day 14 holds better signs for you!

 

[GreenGoddess]

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I've had them. I dont think its terribly uncommon. Good luck, hope day 14 holds better signs for you!

That makes me feel a little better.. Thanks!

Goddess