[Pretty Chick]

Hi,

I took the egg that my broody hen is sitting on and candled it using a standard torch (I don't have a flashlight), but I can't see ANY movement and I am sure it is around day 21 of incubation. I'm sure it is still alive for I am certain I can hear slight movements when I hold the egg to my ear. All I can see is a dark mass and the large air cell.

Any advice on what I should see when candling the egg at this stage of incubation and or confirmation that the chick is still alive would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Kate and her Ducks]

At this stage all you will see is a big airsac and black in the rest. If you are lucky and the chick has internally pipped you might see movement in the airsac.

What you really need to do is the hardest thing which is to put it back under the broody and leave it alone! Good luck.

[Pretty Chick]

Thanks Kate

[hillfooter]

The worst thing you can do is interefere at such a late stage of development.  After 18 days you should let it be, so stop fussing and if it's still alve it will hatch without any assistance.
Best of Luck.
HF

PS there's a thread Aunt Sally started on incubation which has info on candling and how to make a candler so if you can find that it's worth a read.

[Pretty Chick]

Thank you very much hillfooter 

PS I had taken Kate's advice and I'm not handling the egg any more