*HELP*: Egg cracked twice...chick still moving inside

[sfogle]

Hello, I have an egg that is probably 14 days in. It may be more than that...we aren't sure when our broody hen started sitting on it. It got a crack in it the other day, so I took the advice from here and put melted wax over the crack to seal it up. That seemed to work just fine. I candled the egg later, and the embryo was moving around just fine. When I went out this morning to check on it, I noticed there was a new large crack next to the old one. The hen was off her nest getting a drink and I think another hen got up and probably stepped on it. I figured the chick inside was dead and it was over, but when I candled the egg, it is still moving around just fine.

My question is, do I put more wax over that crack as well or just leave it be? I was going to do the wax right away, but I can't tell how deep the crack is...whether or not it broke through the membrane. I don't think it did, but I don't want to do more damage with the wax.

If someone could please give me advice/suggestions on what I should do so this little chick has a chance to hatch and survive. It is probably less than a week til hatching, but like I said, we aren't for sure when she started to sit.

Thanks so much!!

 

[chicmom]

I'd be afraid to use too much wax, because then the chick might not be able to get out of the egg when it's time to hatch.......But then, since it's under a broody, it might be doomed to crack further and die.......Such a difficult decision. I guess I'd use more wax.....Or do you have an incubator you can pop that egg into?

 

[sfogle]

I know...I am very on the border about which to do. I think the wax would prevent more damage...but I do worry about the chick getting out. I do have an incubator but she is sitting on them almost 24/7 minus a minute or two she is up and I don't even know it. I have not had good luck with the incubator in the past...it is just a basic one...and so hard to regulate the temp. I worry if I move it it won't stay at the perfect temp. which is under her right now. Maybe I can find a way to isolate her from the others so they don't do any more damage to the egg?

Thanks.