I opened what I thought was a 100 percent dead egg to see what happened. It wasn't dead.

[Tatuana]

I candled it, it had what I thought was a clear blood ring. It also really looked like it was breaking down inside. I was curious to see what the inside of an egg looked like, and since this one was 100 percent dead I figured no harm would come. I compared to pictures online to be sure before I opened it. I drilled a little hole with a screw, and peeled away a bit of the egg to see inside. And saw the baby move. I held the egg VERY still for a minute to be sure it wasn't fluids shifting. It wasn't. It was a baby moving. I saw the sac pulse upward and down a good three or four times, like it was kicking maybe? It didn't look like fluid shifting at all.

I covered the hole with my thumb and put it back in the incubator. When I opened it I was under a heavy blanket - so I could candle and see the air cell easier - and my breath had made it very humid. It was only out of the blanket for maybe two seconds to put it in the incubator.

Crap, guys, I feel terrible. Beyond terrible. Did I just kill the egg? Or is there still a chance he may survive? His due date was yesterday. I'm never opening an egg again to see the insides, ugh. Is there anything I can do for him/her? Besides not touch it of course.

Not that it helps much, but I did sanitize the screw before I used it. I have weird OCD tendencies and I'm terrified of old screws/tools. I HAVE to clean them before use. So at least I used clean tools?

 

[ChickNanny13]

What day of incubation is this egg at?
Get some coconut oil or even vaseline, with a Qtip spread on the exposed membrane so it does not dry out & become shrink wrapped. You could put some oil around the edges of the hole & place a piece of Glad Wrap to cover the hole, hoping to keep the membrane from drying out IF your several days from incubation.

 

[Naser]

The chick is due to hatch, keep high humidity and it should be fine.

 

[equine chick]

That stinks. I agree with above or try to cover with shell and plastic wrap and seal with clear nail polish or gorilla glue. Leave it alone for a few days and then recandle.

 

[Tatuana]

Thanks, I'll try that. Baby's hatch date was yesterday, so hopefully he's far along enough to make it. I put a bit of oil on the membrane to keep it moist and he kicked all over. He seems healthy, at least. I just don't want him drying out. The hole I made is right over the air bubble - should I watch to be sure he doesn't try to pip and zip around the tape and can make it out?

 

[equine chick]

I didn’t realize you were so close to hatching. I would keep it moist and see if it just needs a little more time. Place the shell back on and hopefully he can make it out on its own. Good luck.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

I didn’t realize you were so close to hatching. I would keep it moist and see if it just needs a little more time. Place the shell back on and hopefully he can make it out on its own. Good luck.

Keep us updated

Edited to correct spelling

 

[Tatuana]

Keep us updated

Edited to correct spelling

Will do! Hopefully he hatches okay. The other one I opened was for sure dead, at least. It was very sad.

 

[aart]

Are other other eggs/chicks?
What kind of incubator?

 

[Tatuana]

Are other other eggs/chicks?
What kind of incubator?

There's six eggs in there, but only one other that I think may be alive. It's a Janoel 12, I believe.