hairline crack

[heartbreakdiet]

I just received my first hatching eggs in the mail. 6 polish frizzles. One of the eggs appears to have a thin hairline crack in the egg. Should I even put it in the incubator? Or do I cull it now? I'm assuming this egg is a loss but I just want to be sure!

 

[Ridgerunner]

It’s often not a clear-cut decision. To me there are two separate risks to that egg.

That could be an avenue for bacteria to enter the egg. It could cause the egg to lose more moisture than it needs to, maybe already but more during incubation.

The safest thing to do is to toss it. If it is an expensive or special egg to you, I’d be tempted to take some wax and cover that area and try it. Don’t cover the whole egg in wax, just that area.

Then sniff it often. If you ever get a whiff of rotten egg smell, get rid of it. Life can often be pretty darn stubborn. Yes, there is a risk in that egg but I don’t think it’s totally hopeless.

 

[heartbreakdiet]

Thank you. I did go ahead and put it in but I think I'll end up second guessing myself and removing it. It's my first hatch so I probably don't need to make it harder on myself than need be

 

[ChucktheChick]

Just keep it and keep sniffing it . That's what I would do. You could have a baby chick if you at least tried to keep it! Just my opinion! good luck