What is wrong with this egg?

[savannahRoos22]

I have button quail and they've been in the incubator 18 days. It looks like something's growing on one. I haven't touched the others and the temperature didn't fluctuate heavily when I quickly opened the incubator. Help please! I want to know why they're hatching late or why they've died so late. And I really want to know what is growing on the outside or what it is. Here's my image

 

[savannahRoos22]

....

 

[SeaPolka]

I've no experience at all with quail, only chickens, but that looks like a rotten egg. Have you tried candling it?

 

[sourland]

I'm not certain, but it almost looks like mold.

 

[Silkiesarefluffydinos]

I don't know anything about quaIL either, but Ithe looks like mold to me, maybe even a little driedifferent yolk almost... I honk you should try candling it bease it appeas to be rotten..

 

[savannahRoos22]

I candled a couple days ago, and removed the ones I was sure were bad. The eggs are extremely dark to be certain its not rotten and still viable. There is no crack but I am guessing bacteria can transfer by absorbing through the egg shell to the outside. I doubt it but thanks guys for your time. I appreciate the effort and help. I hope your animals are doing well!!!!

 

[savannahRoos22]

@sourland @SeaPolka @Silkiesarefluffydinos

 

[Pyxis]

That looks like a fungus or mold. I would definitely be tossing that one out, and I would be giving your incubator a good scrub down with bleach.

As to why they haven't hatched yet, what temperature and humidity are you using? What kind of incubator?

 

[SeaPolka]

@sourland @SeaPolka @Silkiesarefluffydinos

Yes, it's quite the challenge to candle dark eggs. I monitor the air cell in my Welsummer eggs as I find them difficult to candle. I read that mold on the eggs (if it's that) can be caused by an infertile egg, a dead embryo or too much humidity

 

[savannahRoos22]

Yes, it's quite the challenge to candle dark eggs. I monitor the air cell in my Welsummer eggs as I find them difficult to candle. I read that mold on the eggs (if it's that) can be caused by an infertile egg, a dead embryo or too much humidity

Okay! Thanks so much! I like that information a lot.