Exploding eggs?

[Penny spender]

I see people posting about eggs that explode under a broody or in the incubator. How often does this happen? Is it just an undeveloped egg? Will it always happen if you dont candle the eggs to check to see if they are alive? Does it usually happen at a certain number of days?

My first broody last year had no issues.....when I was young and oblivious. Now Im worried about everything because Im aware of so much more that could happen! lol!

 

[Lazy Farmer]

Candling your eggs will help prevent this.

 

[ChirpyChicks1]

Sometimes it’s best to not know My brother had an egg explode. I didn’t candle my eggs until late in development because I didn’t think a normal flash light would do a good job. I smelt them every couple of days. Closing in on 2 weeks I had one start to smell and I removed it in day 15 and broke it. It didn’t look like it has ever developed. When I’ve seen people talking about exploding eggs I’ve just assumed they had rotted and got left alone

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It's not too common, but once it happens, you never want to smell that again. I had just candled some eggs under a broody at 10 days, none were any good. When I cracked one open it was a horrid sulfur smell. It would have been one to explode if I had left it.

You just never know. It's always best to candle and remove any that aren't developing, but generally I can get through the whole incubation period without any problems, and I carefully discard any remaining eggs just in case.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

It's always best to candle and remove any that aren't developing,

It is wise when incubating to pre-candle to avoid "Seapers" or potential leakers. Hairline cracks and thin spots in shells can cause a bio hazard mess once that goo leaks into the water journals.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How often does it happen? Not very. It has nothing to do with the egg being "alive" with a chick.

If bacteria gets inside the egg it can multiply. Incubation temperature is perfect for that. But as the hen is laying the egg she she puts a coating on it called bloom that helps stop bacteria from getting inside. As long as that barrier stays intact a hen can lay eggs for two weeks or more in a nest, then incubate them for three weeks without problems. If the barrier breaks down and bacteria get inside you can have problems. It does not matter if the egg is fertile or not. If bacteria does not get inside, you do not have a problem.

How can you prevent this? Don't set dirty eggs. If an egg is dirty the barrier may be compromised. I'm not talking about a light dusting, I'm talking about a clump of poop or dirt. If you are using an incubator sterilize it to eliminate the bacteria. Keep your hands clean when handling the eggs, gathering them or any other time like setting, turning, or candling. Avoid oily hands.

Do not remove that bloom. Don't wash them or sandpaper them to clean them. Leave the bloom intact. If the egg is dirty enough to need cleaning don't incubate it to start with.

As long as your hands and equipment are clean candling will not cause bacteria to get inside. It will not prevent it either. If you sniff them when you candle (or turn them or do anything else with them) you might be able to tell when one is going bad but it will not stop one form going bad. Candling does not help an egg to hatch, it does not harm a hatching egg as long as you don't drop one and crack it or get it dirty. Candling is for your curiosity, nothing more.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

If the egg is dirty enough to need cleaning don't incubate it to start with.