Malformed egg

[Amc29]

I candled my chicken eggs this morning (day 7), and realized that one of them is fairly malformed. I do not remember it being this way when I put it in (not impossible, but I don't remember it being this way). So far, development looks great, but I am concerned with viability going forward. I just read that malformed eggs are not good for hatching, but I also don't want to toss an egg that so far seems to be doing fine. Any experience with--or knowledge of--this situation?

 

[Mosey2003]

Might be fine. Might need to help it hatch. Might not make it to hatch. As long as it's not dead and doesn't start to smell, you can let it go and see.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Unless the egg's porous, which would make it more susceptible to bacteria and possibly lead to weaker bones on the chick, I see no reason it couldn't hatch a healthy chick. What's it look like when you candle?

 

[Chickassan]

That isn't too bad, the only thing i'd worry about is sometimes those are thin shelled.
Normal shells get thinner as chicks grow so an already thin one could pop.
It is your choice, if its doing fine just carry on.

 

[Amc29]

Unless the egg's porous, which would make it more susceptible to bacteria and possibly lead to weaker bones on the chick, I see no reason it couldn't hatch a healthy chick. What's it look like when you candle?

It has an obvious little air pocket and the veining is visible, definitely see the expected development.

 

[sylviethecochin]

It has an obvious little air pocket and the veining is visible, definitely see the expected development.

Sorry--should have been clearer. What does the shell look like (more or less porous than other eggs), and is the air pocket the size you would expect?

 

[Amc29]

That isn't too bad, the only thing i'd worry about is sometimes those are thin shelled.
Normal shells get thinner as chicks grow so an already thin one could pop.
It is your choice, if its doing fine just carry on.

That is a concerning idea. Hopefully it doesn't do that Is there anyway to really identify it as a concerningly thin egg? I don't want an egg popping on my healthy egg and dirtying up my incubator.

 

[Mosey2003]

I mean, it's always best not to set malformed eggs, but you gotta have some perspective. If my turner is full and I still have eggs left, you bet I'm not going to include anything malformed. If there's plenty of space available and I'd like all the chicks I can get from a mating, I'd include one that looked like that. Though, personally, I would probably make sure I separated it at lockdown and I'd mark it upon hatching. But, I'm following a rather rigorous breeding program with certain goals in mind. Something that hatched out of a "bad" shell like that would go in my laying pen or be sold. But that's me.

 

[Mosey2003]

That is a concerning idea. Hopefully it doesn't do that Is there anyway to really identify it as a concerningly thin egg? I don't want an egg popping on my healthy egg and dirtying up my incubator.

That's what they mean by asking you to candle and see if it's especially porous. If it's porous, it will have a mottled appearance, kind of like polka dotted, but not exactly.

 

[Chickassan]

This is what a porous egg looks like when you candle, this one isn't the worst iv'e seen but it will give you an idea.