Unhatched eggs

[Dave]

First one hatched Thursday morning. It’s now Sunday and there is still one that has never hatched. Anybody have experience with this? What should I do. The only thing I’m worried about is it breaking and attracting stuff.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Yes, have this happen – believe opinion is to leave it alone for a week after others hatch – then remove it gently. Others with experience need to chime in here.

[blue diamonds]

I have had that happen, I just leave the egg in the nest. If mama blue wants it out she can move it to the side. Never had one break in the nest. I don’t like to interfere too much.

Judy – Michigan

[Dave]

I thought it hatched then I realized it’s kinda down in the nest, I can barely see it. So nothing I could really do anyway. Yea, hopefully it doesn’t break.

Thanks.

[David in Stafford,VA]

I’m with Carol. It has only happened once here, but I just used a small plastic spoon to carefully remove the egg before the young birds get to large. It is easier to gently move them around to get the egg while they are still small.

David
Stafford, VA

[Dave]

I looked this afternoon (day 5) and saw that the egg was right on top so I gently wiggled my finger under it and plucked it out. I looked right after and saw that it left about a quarter of the space they were laying in empty. Which made me feel better hopefully it gives them more room.

She laid 6 eggs and I’m pretty sure I’m only seeing 4 of hatchlings but I don’t see the other egg. Maybe it’s way down there or they took it out. Are they able to pick them up?

[Lisa]

I had that happen last year. At three days after others hatched, I gently got the egg out and candled it— the egg had never been fertilized. Glad I did that because it eased my guilt about whether something I did caused the egg not to hatch.

[Carol – Mid-Mo.]

Dave & Lisa – Six eggs would be pretty crowded – but nature will have to take care of them since we cannot remove any viable eggs – don’t worry, most eggs which do not hatch with the others are generally not good. I’ve had 5 laid in a box (not usual though) but never six.

[Author]

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