A silly question, but how do I know if babies died in their egg?

[BackyardinWales]

Three of my nine eggs have hatched, so I decided to candle a couple of the others.

The first one seems full of light, and a dark patch to one side, much like at a week gestation, so I'm guessing that one is dead. The second one is also lit well, but more mass and practically jumped out of my hand. The sensation made me feel sick, but had suspected previously that this one too is likely dead. Will leave them in the incubator for a couple more days as today is day 22.

I would appreciate any wisdom you all have. Thank you in advance.

 

[newchickmomma3-2025]

Almost jumped out of your hand, as in moved by itself?

 

[Noraaaaa]

If they have light they are probobly dead.

If you think one still may hatch leave them untill day 23. You can sometimes hear them chirp when they are close to piping. Keep an eye out for pips. OR egg movement (rolling aroud sometimes happens). Also: sometimes you can see movement such as breathing when you candle the egg. Sometimes not.

If you are sure its dead you can open it and see where it went wrong, and many people do this. You dont have to though LOL!

 

[Susan Skylark]

A dead embryo tends to clump up after a couple days, the solids and liquids separate leaving a reddish liquid layer that sinks and a black mass that floats, when rolled the contents slosh instead of ooze. A tiny bit of liquid near hatch can be normal but 25% or more of the egg volume is bad.

 

[BackyardinWales]

Thank you all for your comments. Much appreciated.

And it was as I was about to put it back, so might have been content shift. It definitely freaked me lol.