The Poultry Keeper

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 918 Location: Carmarthenshire

Just been out to take broodies off their nest to poop etc and noticed one egg with a hole about the size of a 5p in the airsac end. Thought it would be dead but it isn't! They are due to hatch next weekend - what do i do?

CP · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 11:43 am Post subject:

You mean there's still another week to go!?!? Shocked

Surely it's not pipping already? Is the membrane still intact?

If it's been damaged by the broody 1 week off hatching then it will most probably expire.
You could try sticking some fabric plaster tape over the hole but it's really a try it or die method. Confused

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 918 Location: Carmarthenshire

Yes, they aren't due to hatch till next Saturday! Think membrane is intact and could see movement underneath - i did think of putting clingfilm over the hole, what to you think?

CP · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 11:50 am Post subject:

Don't think clingfilm would last long under a broody & you'd still have to stick it on with something. You couldn't wrap up the whole egg with it as it wouldn't be able to breathe. Wink

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 918 Location: Carmarthenshire

Of course, you are right - not thinking straight at the moment, will try the plaster.

CP · Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:

Fingers crossed!

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1312 Location: Leicestershire

Micropore is quite good.

Trouble with a hole like that is it makes the rest of the egg fragile.

Good luck with it.

Itsybitsy

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 918 Location: Carmarthenshire

Have now put a fabric plaster over the hole - which is bigger than I first thought, 10p sized! - thought of micropore, thanks Itsybitsy, but thought fabric just might be strong enough to hold it together. Chick is still alive, due to the size of the hole (and the plaster covering it) if/when it makes it to pipping do I take the plaster off before or during hatching or shall I leave it now?

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1312 Location: Leicestershire

I think I'd take the plaster off, you don't want the chick getting it's beak stuck on it although it's all wet in there, the chick is never going to break through it and will waste energy trying.

Itsybitsy

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 918 Location: Carmarthenshire

Thanks.

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 918 Location: Carmarthenshire

For future reference someone has just given me a brilliant idea that they have tried, with success, themsleves. They cracked open a, none fertile, egg and broke a peice to size then stuck it over the hole - and it worked! What a clever idea!!!!! Think i will try it Very Happy

.

CP · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 12:53 am Post subject:

Now why didn't I think of that....? Rolling Eyes

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 918 Location: Carmarthenshire

It didn't make it Crying or Very sad

. Still, she still has 5 eggs to hatch. Smile

CP · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 10:20 pm Post subject:

What happened? Did the plaster patch come off?
Sorry it wasn't a success. Sad

Chris Kurzfeld · Joined: 29 Oct 2007 Posts: 918 Location: Carmarthenshire

Don't know what happened CP, when I put the plaster on it was definately alive and kicking. Yesterday mum kept kicking the egg out of the nest so I thought perhaps she didn't like the plaster. So, armed with some shell off OH morning egg and some glue (flour and water), I took the plaster off and was going to put the shell over the hole instead but it was already dead (and smelling - it's been very hot here) Crying or Very sad

- perhaps mum knew already and that was why she kept kicking it out! It was so close too!