I have a lovely "older" hen that I thought was passed the age of laying eggs, but she presented me with a huge (but sadly soft shelled) egg. I was thrilled because she's a beautiful Americana and so sweet. But I bumped the egg and caused a pretty big hole in the outer shell. I painted on some lukewarm candle wax and held my breath for 21 days! The most attractive healthy stripped baby popped out yesterday morning. I'm so glad I took the time. But now I have another "issue". I crack open (very carefully - like you were opening a soft boiled egg) all the eggs that don't quite make it - just in case it's a really late bloomer and still alive in the shell and to see what went wrong - I've had this happen twice and gotten healthy chicks - sadly 2 different times the chick was viable but had bad feet - one I fixed with "shoes" the other is still crippled. I cracked open an egg that was 4 days past hatching and saw a live chick inside the membrane - was confused then looked at the shell again and realised it is one of my Guinea Eggs. Not due until 28 days. So I've but egg carefully back in the incubator, he was still active last night, but seems slugish this morning. The hole in the shell is huge, anything I can do to help him make it to May 2nd? or is the intact membrane enough? does he need more moisture?
Thanks, Bev
Thanks, Bev
