Found cracked egg w/ embryo still developing...can it be saved???

[77horses]

A couple of my hens are broody and I've been candling the eggs (there are about 10 total eggs under both of them), and I noticed that one was cracked...And not just a small crack, either. The membrane in broken and I can see the embryo with its tiny beating heart inside, and it's really sad because I don't think I can save it.

But just in case, I'm posting here to see if anyone can think of a way to save it??? The crack is about the size of the tip of my pinky finger, and it's big enough that I can see a small part of the yolk/embryo with it's little heart beating away.

Is there any way I could save it? I know there probably isn't, since the membrane is open and that means bacteria will get in if it hasn't already...if just the shell had cracked, I would've had a better chance of saving it, but the membrane is cracked too so I don't think it can be saved.

But if anyone has any ideas, please let me know!

Thanks!

(I'll also post some pictures in a little while...)

 

[Cats Critters]

I've never done it my self but I remember reading on here some thing about felling/sealing cracks in eggs with wax. I'll see if I can find a post...

 

[77horses]

Quote:
Yeah I've heard of that too, but the problem is that I think it was only for cracked shells, not when the membrane is cracked too like in my situation.

Thanks!

 

[Cats Critters]

Here are some threads:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=502959
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=517685
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=498787
I would give it a shot, the worse that can happen is it dies.

 

[77horses]

Quote:
Thank you!
Unfortunately, the situations on these threads don't seem to be as bad as mine.

I would try candle wax, but the crack is just too big and the wax would just fall into the egg.

Also, I wanted to post pictures but my uploads is full because I'm suddenly no longer a GFM and it's going to take a while to (individually

) delete each photo before I can upload any more...It would be A LOT easier if there was "delete multiple" though.

Anyways, if you have any other ideas please feel free to share!

 

[77horses]

I honestly have no clue what to do...The membrane is drying out and the crack is just too big for candle wax, plus I don't currently have an incubator on hand...So I'm pretty sure there's no chance for this one.

But if anyone happens to have an idea, feel free to post.

Thanks!

 

[77horses]

Finally got the pictures to upload, although they're not very good.

 

[okiedrifter]

you can try a crayon over it but I bet its a gonner...or a piece of duck tape...

 

[77horses]

Quote:
Do you mean a melted crayon? ...and I don't think duck tape would hold in enough moisture.

The membrane is already turning white so it's drying out already.
So I guess it's a goner.

Poor little embryo.

 

[cmom]

you can put a piece of tape over the crack or liquid band aide. I had a cracked egg that hatched out fine.