Cracked eggs can hatch - experience post

[kmpcfp]

In case this happens to anyone else... I accidentally set a cracked egg, and didn't realize it until candling on day four. I saw the cracks on the bottom as well as the developing embryo. I was really torn about throwing it out, but decided to seal it it up with melted birthday candle wax and check for growth/movement every few days. She (he?!) ended up hatching out into a perfect chick.

2nd from the bottom left

Hatching between the two chicks:

One with the darker yellow head on the left.

 

[BelovedBirds]

In case this happens to anyone else... I accidentally set a cracked egg, and didn't realize it until candling on day four. I saw the cracks on the bottom as well as the developing embryo. I was really torn about throwing it out, but decided to seal it it up with melted birthday candle wax and check for growth/movement every few days. She (he?!) ended up hatching out into a perfect chick.

2nd from the bottom left
View attachment 3449717

Hatching between the two chicks:
View attachment 3449721
View attachment 3449723
One with the darker yellow head on the left.
View attachment 3449718

Thats really awesome! They're adorable.
Thank you for sharing!

 

[Isadora]

I too had a cracked egg that made it all the way to the final day. The duckling did end up passing away but it looked like the membrane right around his entry hole dried out while the rest was fine so that's why he passed away, not because of the crack.
Unfortunately I didn't notice the crack until we were well into lockdown so I don't know if it was there when I set the eggs initially or if it happened later when I was candling.

 

[BelovedBirds]

I too had a cracked egg that made it all the way to the final day. The duckling did end up passing away but it looked like the membrane right around his entry hole dried out while the rest was fine so that's why he passed away, not because of the crack.
Unfortunately I didn't notice the crack until we were well into lockdown so I don't know if it was there when I set the eggs initially or if it happened later when I was candling.

Was that from this current hatch?

I've never been able to keep a cracked egg going. Had a quail egg with a hairline crack, which quit on day 10, and a duck egg with a pretty bad crack, quit on day 3. Used the usual methods to cover the crack, but unfortunately failed both times

 

[Isadora]

Was that from this current hatch?

I've never been able to keep a cracked egg going. Had a quail egg with a hairline crack, which quit on day 10, and a duck egg with a pretty bad crack, quit on day 3. Used the usual methods to cover the crack, but unfortunately failed both times

Yes, the duckling that just passed away had a cracked shell.

 

[Crazychickengirl2]

How did you melt the wax? Burn the candle and then as quickly as you can blow it out and then put it on the egg?

 

[BelovedBirds]

How did you melt the wax? Burn the candle and then as quickly as you can blow it out and then put it on the egg?

I've heard that people just light it and let the wax drip on, solidifies very quickly

 

[kmpcfp]

How did you melt the wax? Burn the candle and then as quickly as you can blow it out and then put it on the egg?

I lit the candle, held it at an angle, and let it drip from a couple of inches above.