I have a pair of canaries sitting on eggs right now (4). They are due to hatch approx. this friday (the 6th). Yesterday, the pair started to mate again, so I asked my grandfather (an avid bird man with approx 50 birds) if I should mark her current eggs, incase she starts laying new eggs in the same nest. He said yes, with pencil. Well s**t, he didn't say how fragile the eggs are!?!?! I'm so used to chicken eggs being so strong! The pencil pierced into the one egg, and than it rolled and smacked another egg, causing a spider web effect of cracks (but not penetrating the shell). The egg that was pierced looked to be very yolky - like it wasn't fertlized But I'm really worried about the other egg that it smacked. If it didn't penetrate the shell, could that possible chick still survive!?! This pair had two full grown chicks about 8 months ago, and when they were ready for their new homes, I slipped outside with the cage and they flew away! AND I had a really bad experience with my one and only chicken chick about a month ago. I can't stand to have another bad case again. Please tell me there is hope! I know I still have two other untouched eggs, but I feel terrible. Thanks, Sarah
Aw - I'm sorry about your lost eggs. I think perhaps the cracked egg is not going to recover. I would check with canary experts but I think if the female lays again then the eggs she has are not fertile. I have also read that if you touch the eggs you can damage them with oils on your hands - because they are so fragile. I'm not a finch or canary breeder but do have an occational clutch just for the joy of it. I leave my girls alone when they are nesting and let things go as they will. Best of luck to you.
