~~~ Need HELP with a cracked egg! (She didn't make it) ~~~

[vfem]

I went outside a few hours ago to feed and check on the chickens. I couldn't help but look under my broodies to see how everything was going when I saw it!

It was cracked, I'm pretty sure by accident or maybe the chick did pip? Either way, the membrane was dry and shell was missing in a nice 1/4" circle. The membrane is still intact though with what appeared to be a tiny but sealed up rip. I didn't see any blood veining in the membrane either. I thought it was a goner. However, just incase I wet my finger and wet the membrane to see the chick was in fact still moving pretty strong inside!!!

So I've dabbed it lightly with water a few times now and I'm debating on what to do to try to save this chick!

I do NOT have an incubator so that is not an option. These were due to hatch on Friday of this week.... so they are close to full term. Should I continue to go out randomly and wet the membrane and pray... or is there a simple set up I can do in the house with a light and maybe a warm wet towel to get it to the hatch date?! Or should I just let it go.

I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to save this egg if I can.

I still don't know how it happened unless it slammed into another egg under the hen really hard. (It looks nothing like an egg eater attack on my hatching eggs I had several months ago.)

 

[Ruditchka]

Its possible for a chick to start pipping this early, so I'd do just as you are doing(if it seems abnormally dry) or even just let it be and hope for the best. If the hen is sitting, her humidity should be fine for the eggs membrane. Good Luck!

 

[willowcol]

I think I would just leave it, it will probably be fine.

 

[vfem]

Ok, I'll pray for being fine... but it just seemed to dry to me. I added a bit more water with my finger again. I went out to take a pic... yes, my hens are still sitting though. They NEVER give up!!!

I'll post the photo in a second.

 

[vfem]

Ok here's a pic of the egg. You can see the little bloody tear in the membrane, but it seems to have sealed itself like a cut would. The rest of the shell was just hanging of and was dry so came off.

 

[quail kid]

Hello,

I think its a bit dry.I would every 2 hours or so just put a bit water on your finger and wet the membrane but im a newbie so im not too sure.

Good luck!!

 

[allaboutdemchicks]

I'm rooting for the egg!!!!

I think it will hatch. Fingers crossed!

 

[vfem]

Oh I'm loving all the positive vibes guys... I've stopped crying I was that worried. This hatch means so much to me... these are eggs I had shipped to me from someone I had wanted eggs from for months and month and months!!! They were one of those special gifts to me... first time my husband said I could hatch chicks and actually keep them!!!!

 

[allaboutdemchicks]

Okay, Shannon, do tell...what's in the egg that the hubby will let you keep?

Claudia

 

[vfem]

These are white and buff silkies from Jenlynn4 - Sassysilkies

http://www.freewebs.com/sassysilkies/buff.htm