Backyard Fowl Keepers

Hey guys, my first incubation isnt going well. A chicken egg is 4 days overdue, no movement for 3 days. I opened it slightly and saw veins still carrying blood. Could it still be alive and hatch?

If there's still blood flow, the chick is alive but likely not ready. Keep the incubator conditions stable and give it more time before considering intervention.

If there's no internal pip and no movement, it may not make it. If you see signs of distress, consider carefully assisting only as a last resort.

Don't assist unless absolutely necessary. The chick may still be developing. Let nature take its course for now.

VinnyVent wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 11:33 pm Hey guys, my first incubation isnt going well. A chicken egg is 4 days overdue, no movement for 3 days. I opened it slightly and saw veins still carrying blood. Could it still be alive and hatch?

Late hatches aren't uncommon, but no movement for three days isn't a good sign. Give it more time, but be prepared for the possibility it won't hatch.

Since the veins are still carrying blood, the chick is still alive but possibly struggling. Some eggs take longer, especially if incubation temps were slightly lower. Your best bet is to keep the humidity up and avoid interfering more. If the chick has pipped internally but hasn't broken through, it may be malpositioned. You can candle again in a few hours and listen carefully for sounds. If there's no movement or sound after an extended period, it might not make it.

Some chicks take longer due to genetic factors, improper incubator calibration, or humidity fluctuations. As long as there's blood in the veins, it's not ready to hatch. Keep it warm, humid, and watch for movement. If it pipped internally but isn't progressing, you might need to help, but only after confirming it's struggling. If it hasn't even internally pipped, there's little you can do but wait.

VinnyVent wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 11:33 pm Hey guys, my first incubation isnt going well. A chicken egg is 4 days overdue, no movement for 3 days. I opened it slightly and saw veins still carrying blood. Could it still be alive and hatch?

It could be a late hatcher, especially if incubation temps were slightly low. Keep an eye on it and look for movement or chirping sounds.

VinnyVent wrote: Mon Feb 17, 2025 11:33 pm Hey guys, my first incubation isnt going well. A chicken egg is 4 days overdue, no movement for 3 days. I opened it slightly and saw veins still carrying blood. Could it still be alive and hatch?

If there's no external pip, it may not be ready. Watch for movement and keep humidity stable.

Chicks can take longer to hatch. If blood is present, it's not done absorbing nutrients yet.