Double Embryo in Hatching Egg

[Ohiogal]

I've got a rare breed in my incubator. Hoping on at least 1 hen and 1 roo out of it. The eggs were hard to come by and are shipped eggs, so the fertility was low to begin with.
I candled 12 eggs at day #8. I have 4 fertile eggs developing. One of the 4 has a double embryo in process. I'm wondering what the chances of this hatching is?
I can't imagine the chicks will be very big if they survive. If they do go to maturity, what if anything can I do to make that particular egg hatch out with as best possible results?

[ladycat]

Originally Posted by Ohiogal

I've got a rare breed in my incubator. Hoping on at least 1 hen and 1 roo out of it. The eggs were hard to come by and are shipped eggs, so the fertility was low to begin with.
I candled 12 eggs at day #8. I have 4 fertile eggs developing. One of the 4 has a double embryo in process. I'm wondering what the chances of this hatching is?
I can't imagine the chicks will be very big if they survive. If they do go to maturity, what if anything can I do to make that particular egg hatch out with as best possible results?

Those almost always die before they can get hatched out.

[fostina1]

i saw a video on youtube of an egg hatching twins. it was pretty cool.

[65284]

Ladycat is correct. If they make it to hatching time they usually can't turn themselves to chip their way out. I have saved one set of twins by assist them in hatching. If they pip, or after 21 days you can chip away the shell a little bit to make sure they have access to the air cell. Don't remove them immediately, they need to struggle, it helps them to draw the umbilicus (egg sac) up into the abdomen. Remove the shell a little bit at a time over an 8-10 hour period.

[Ohiogal]

I'll keep my fingers crossed that they go to Day 21. It will be on a weekend so I'll have time to "babysit".