When to remove the "bad eggs"

[aliciaFarmer]

I had previously posted that my 5 month old Buff Orpington went broody just a few weeks after she started laying. I ended up purchasing 3 fertile eggs because my boys aren't old enough to facilitate such things just yet and received four eggs. I was pretty sure two were not viable but don't have an adequate candling light. After a little drama with mama leaving the nest yesterday, two hatched this morning (a Swedish Flower Hen and a Lavender Ameraucana, the two I knew for sure were viable) having pipped yesterday. Still nothing with the other two though they are due for hatching today. 99% positive they aren't viable, sadly. They would be a Blue Ameraucana and Chocolate Orpington.



My question is when should I remove those other two eggs that mama is still sitting on? I've raised over 50 baby chicks but this is my first time hatching my own so I'm not sure what to do in this particular case. Give it another day or two?

 

[BYCforlife]

Your hen should leave the eggs very soon if they don't hatch, taking care of her chicks is her number one priority.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

at this point the eggs should be completely dark inside. You may be able to see movement in the air cell. Also you can smell the eggs to see if they put off a rotten odor.

Okay, they definitely aren't dark. One is about a third translucent at the air sac in the other about a quarter. I didn't see movement in either one but I know that doesn't *always* indicate life or lack of life as the previous person posted with her experience (or his -- I don't recall the name). I never thought about sniffing them, thank you! I will go do that right now.

 

[AlleysChicks]

I would try candling again. Phone flashlight works great or if you have a regular flashlight laying around try that. The darker the room the better. Eggs can go rotten and explode. It’s a mess.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

I would try candling again. Phone flashlight works great or if you have a regular flashlight laying around try that. The darker the room the better. Eggs can go rotten and explode. It’s a mess.

I tried with my phones yesterday but I probably should look online to see what to expect to see at day 21. It was probably a quarter air sac and I couldn't see anything beyond that. No veins but I don't suppose you see those at this point.

I will go try again now. I'll bring them inside where I can check them in a dark area rather than the bright coop. I had no idea they could explode! That sounds really unpleasant indeed. Thank you so much for the heads up on that!

 

[Sandiemouse]

I had previously posted that my 5 month old Buff Orpington went broody just a few weeks after she started laying. I ended up purchasing 3 fertile eggs because my boys aren't old enough to facilitate such things just yet and received four eggs. I was pretty sure two were not viable but don't have an adequate candling light. After a little drama with mama leaving the nest yesterday, two hatched this morning (a Swedish Flower Hen and a Lavender Ameraucana, the two I knew for sure were viable) having pipped yesterday. Still nothing with the other two though they are due for hatching today. 99% positive they aren't viable, sadly. They would be a Blue Ameraucana and Chocolate Orpington.

View attachment 1582241

My question is when should I remove those other two eggs that mama is still sitting on? I've raised over 50 baby chicks but this is my first time hatching my own so I'm not sure what to do in this particular case. Give it another day or two?

I would like to get some help with that as well. I had my silkie go broody as well, she had two eggs and they did not make it. I took the eggs when she was out of the pen and she didn't see me but she didn't come out for about three days and she still has not layed any more eggs. She wasn't even look at my rooster, she loved my Cojack

 

[Sandiemouse]

It can be a month to six weeks before a hen will resume laying after being broody. I'm sorry your eggs didn't make it. That's always sad.

Thank you, I was very sad about the loss of her babies. This was her first time going broody.
Now I've got two ducks that have started laying eggs and not sure what to do about that.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

Thank you, I was very sad about the loss of her babies. This was her first time going broody.
Now I've got two ducks that have started laying eggs and not sure what to do about that.

Hopefully next time you will get baby chicks! I was sad that only 2 hatched but so grateful at the same time. Two is definitely better than none. So lucky that your ducks are laying! Mine are 22 weeks and haven't laid yet.

 

[Chicksnmind]

Make sure those eggs aren’t really going to hatch. This morning out of my last two eggs one is cracking and cheeping and the other is silent. I handled it gently and candled it in my bathroom. There was no movement. So I started thinking it was a bad egg since both had been put in the nest at the same time. Later today I check and both are peeping and you can hear taping inside.

 

[AlleysChicks]

I tried with my phones yesterday but I probably should look online to see what to expect to see at day 21. It was probably a quarter air sac and I couldn't see anything beyond that. No veins but I don't suppose you see those at this point.

I will go try again now. I'll bring them inside where I can check them in a dark area rather than the bright coop. I had no idea they could explode! That sounds really unpleasant indeed. Thank you so much for the heads up on that!

at this point the eggs should be completely dark inside. You may be able to see movement in the air cell. Also you can smell the eggs to see if they put off a rotten odor.