Scrambled eggs?

[FaithAnn]

I had some eggs shipped to me, and when I candled them I was almost certain the yolk was broken on the inside. Since I am new to this and wasn't sure I was right, I put them in the incubator anyway. Well, at least a few have started to develop - I can see a small amount of veins and the embryo.

My question is, could an egg still start to develop even if the yolk is busted on the inside, or was I just wrong on my initial assessment? (Or, am I just way off and a yolk can't break without the egg being cracked?)

Thanks for your help!

 

[TexasVet]

As a rule, the egg won't develop if the yolk is scrambled. And yes, the yolk can be scrambled inside an otherwise perfect egg. I had 36 eggs shipped to me, and all but three were scrambled. The shipper had packed them in solid foam so they couldn't move when jostled. That meant the inside contents were slung about, breaking the yolks.

I'll never accept hatching eggs packed that way again! The best results are always from eggs that have been wrapped in bubblewrap and placed directly into a box. They have room to breathe, and room to move during shipment.

Kathy, Bellville TX
www.CountryChickens.com, www.PivotalForce.com

 

[FaithAnn]

Thanks! Could you tell they were scrambled when you candled them? Mine were individually wrapped in paper towels, then placed in an egg carton that was taped shut. The egg carton was then put in a box with shredded paper. This is my first time to try to incubate eggs, so I wasn't sure if this packing was adequate.