Wobbly Air Cells...

[serendipity22]

What do wobbly air cells mean?

Does it mean that the chicks will die or can they still make it?

Here's the story... Got 18 shipped eggs in the mail. It was a really quick shipment (they were only in the mail for 3 days). Unfortunately, when I opened the box and unwrapped the eggs, one was smushed and one had a hairline crack. So those were immediately discarded. I let the rest of the eggs acclimate for several hours before they were put in the incubator. I candled at day 8 and saw 2 with blood rings so they were tossed. A couple of days ago, I candled again and tossed all of the clear eggs. It leaves me with 4 eggs! One has a very stable air cell. But the other 3's air cells move. All of the embryos are still alive at this point. They are due to hatch next Wednesday.

Any advice? Comments? Help!!!!!!!!!

 

[skeeter9]

Um, well, a moving air cell is not a good thing, but if the chicks are developing, then there's a possibility that maybe what you're seeing isn't actually the air cell moving. I would just leave them in the bator and maybe check them again on day 18 when you take them out of the turner.

Good luck - You just never know abou these little guys - sometimes they can hatch even under the worst circumstances.

Lori

 

[jimnjay]

I have had distinct movement of fluid around the air cell and the eggs have hatched. Both Turkeys and Chickens. Many of my shipped eggs come that way. Not all hatch but enough do that I learned not to throw them out until day 10 if there is not development. I have had air cells that are elongated and run down the side of the egg.

 

[LUVMYCHICKS]

Janie, did the one with the aircell that ran down the egg ever hatch? Does anyone know why this happens?

One of mine did that before and I can't remember if it hatched or not.

 

[Queen of the Lilliputians]

My last attempted hatch.. all but two had the wonky aircells. Only one of those remaining two developed and hatched.

They had a rough ship, though (PO crushed the box, was stuck there over holiday, etc), so that could have been the problem.


Meghan

 

[arlee453]

My silkie eggs, two of them had weird air cells that were not perfectly round - they had a weird dip in them around the egg, if that makes sense.

I was thinking that was a problem, but as long as I could see movement I left well enough alone.

Both hatched and are running around the brooder as I type.

In my current batch of eggs, I have two with the odd shaped air cells, but they both have nice movement and development so far...

 

[TerrasCritters]

I have been told with those loose air cells if you put them in the incubator how you normally would, pointed end down and DO NOT TURN THEM for 4-7 days the air cell will attach itself back to the membrane or shell or however it works, then after that time then start to slightly turn them as normal but be gentle with them.
I have tried it but didn't notice a difference, but then again my practices are not so good yet. I was told it works for those who DO use this method.

Here is one person who told me
"The ones that are fine you can go ahead and place them in the incubator as
usual after they have rested for 12 to 24 hrs. The ones with the loose air
cells place them in an egg carton/s with the flat side cut off. Make sure it
is the paper ones. Put them pointed end down in them like you usually would
and place them in the hatcher. Do not move or tilt the carton for 4 to 5
days. You can candle them to see if any have stuck by the process of the egg
loosing water at 7 days and toss those that have not developed. I have had
success with ones that were only loose on the end. And none with ones that
rolled all over the egg. When the egg is ready to start the tilting the
looseness of the air cell disturbed the growing embryo. Then Start tipping
the carton/s by placing something under them to give them the 40degree tilt.
do this 2x a day. You can candle at 11 days to toss more. BUt only candle by
holding them with the big end pointing up. Wait till they pip in the air
cell before you place them lying down in the hatcher. I have been able to
save 60% of the loose air celled eggs."

 

[serendipity22]

Thanks for the info guys!

I really hope these guys hatch.

 

[BamaChicken]

I never look at aircells. i just put in bator and candle day 4 and seven. If they are clear I toss. If I see anything they stay to be candled again at day 10. I have had eggs I candled that I couldn't see chick movement before I moved to hatcher and they hatched. Must have been sleeping. I try to give every chance I can for hatch.

 

[TerrasCritters]

Just wanted to add real quick that I have had hens lay loose air cell eggs. I never tried to incubate them though.