Egg question

9edriver said:

I have a mated pair that laid their first eggs. 1 of the eggs hatched 3 days ago, but the other one has not hatched yet. I wasn't home when the eggs were laid so I don't know how far apart they came. Is it possible that the egg was never fertile in the first place or some other issue related to being the parents first round ever? Also if the other egg does hatch, will it survive with the competition for food from the now much larger sibling? Thanks

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Yes, it is possible and most likely the egg was not fertile. Not sure if the egg wasn't fertile due to this being their first round, though.

When there is a 3 day difference in age, you do need to keep your eye out on the younger one. I usually remove the older baby each time they feed the babies, and then return the older baby to be fed. Do this until the baby has grown and strong enough to compete with the older baby. You can avoid this issue by removing the first egg when it is layed and return it to the hen when the second is laid, and then incubation will be the same time. Usually the older more experienced hens will lay near the first egg, but not incubate it until the second one is layed.

I always wait 7 whole days before I toss an egg just to be extra extra extra sure. I could never forgive myself if I pitched an egg that was about to hatch.

ggoss1 said:

I always wait 7 whole days before I toss an egg just to be extra extra extra sure. I could never forgive myself if I pitched an egg that was about to hatch.

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I agree here...wait a couple of days before you go and throw it out.

candle the egg but only slightly to be certain i always do u will soon see if its fertile then

The unhatched Egg is no good, even if it was, there is to much time between the hatching. Dave

I think the second egg hatches in 48 hours if the parents started incubating the first egg before the second egg is layed. If both are incubated at the same time, then both should hatch the same day. Give it 2 more days, but most likely it is not fertile. You can if you wish get the egg and candle it. If it is fluid, then it was not fertile. If it is opaque, then there might be something inside. It is also possible, if it was fertile that the baby died inside.