Help My Daughter Dropped an Egg

[angus flock]

I need help and can not find any information on this issue I was adding water to the Incubator because we are on day 21 and currently have 1 egg trying to hatch. As I turned to add the water my 3yr old grabbed one of the eggs and dropped it and it shattered but did not bleed just the shell fell off, I held it to listing to See if I could hear and chirps but there was no sound(this egg di not pip yet). Is it possible that is can survive? Do I try to candle it? What do I do?....Thanks in advance.

 

[Poultrybreeder]

I would give it a little time, and see if there is any change

 

[angus flock]

Thank you.

 

[tuesdaze]

I have not yet been in this situation, but I think it is possible it can survive. If it won't cause more damage, sometimes a chick will peep in response to gently tapping on the egg like with a beak or talking to the chick like a mother hen would. Candling may show if the chick has pipped internally. With the shell damaged, I don't know if the chick can still move and kick around to attempt to unzip. Watch and wait and maybe be ready in case the chick has trouble. Please keep us updated.

 

[WVduckchick]

Hopefully the jolt of the drop didn't hurt it too bad! But you have a few options.

I would candle first and see if there is any movement/chirping. Day 21, it very well could still survive, but you will most likely have to do a fairly full assist.

As a chick does its normal zip, it uses the opposite side of the egg as leverage to break the shell. Since the leverage is compromised, it likely won't be able to zip on its own.

If there is still movement, then the priority is making sure the membrane doesn't dry out. You can either coat exposed areas with Vaseline/Neosporin/coconut oil, or even with a piece of saran wrap and tape.

If it has pipped internally, I would remove the shell from the large end of the egg, moisten the membrane with Vaseline/Neosporin/coconut oil, looking for whether the blood vessels are active or receding. Continuing from there would depend on the conditions at that point.

 

[Labradors]

Does anyone have a link to that Japanese study where students raised a shell-less egg in a glass so that they could watch the development? It might help here. I think they put clear wrap over the top to keep the moisture in.

Linda

 

[Labradors]

Here it is! It hatched!

Linda

 

[Miss717]

How is your egg/chick doing?

 

[WVduckchick]

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

This may help you if you need to assist.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/guide-to-assisted-hatching-for-all-poultry.72886/