Tortious eggs

Question
QUESTION: How long from the time the egg starts to crack to the time the baby comes out?

ANSWER: Hi Ellouisa,

Once the baby has "pipped" the egg they usually emerge around 24 hours later. It can sometimes take a bit longer but generally should occur at least within 72 hours. Make sure the incubation environment remains humid. Babies can become trapped in the shell if the egg dries out too much. The babies can occasionally hatch out with visible yolk sacs still attached to their bellies. Don't panic if you see that. Just house them on damp moss or paper towel, the yolk will be absorbed in the next 2 or 3 days.    

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QUESTION: If the egg is cracked and not pipped and nothing further has happened, what should I do? The aeggs are 15 weeks old and incubated at 29 degrees.

Answer
Hi Ellouisa,

Cracked eggs still have a very good chance of hatching. The outcome is better if the crack just affects the outer shell and not the internal membrane. Dehydration and infection are bigger threats when the internal membrane is broken.

I prefer to use a small strip of flexible tape to repair cracks rather then any type of glue. You can find something suitable in the first aid section. You want something that will prevent moisture loss from the crack. Avoid picking up the egg if possible but if you must then do not rotate it as you apply the tape over the crack. Use as small a piece of tape as possible

At 15 weeks you could be be very close to hatching although some species or individual eggs can take several more weeks. You will need to keep a close eye on that particular egg around hatching time to make sure the tape does not interfere.