Cockatiel Incubation - Fast reply PLEASE!

Question
Hello!
  
         So here's the whole story:

  Our birds, Charlie and Banjo - both Cockatiels - mated, and Banjo started
having eggs.  But, she never hatched them! Charlie tried, but failed as well.
So, we got a incubator.  Next batch she laid, she only laid one.  But none the
less, we put it in the incubator.  so, it's now been in there 28 days! We think
there's a little tiny crack in the top.. But nothing else so far.  My mom & I
were wondering, could it be having problems opening the shell? We are probably
going to try and help it open the shell today .. I'd appreciate the fastest
reply possible!! Thanks.


Answer
Hi, Shiri.

If it's been 28 days and you only see a crack, this egg is likely not going to hatch at all (if you have your dates correct).  Cockatiel incubation only takes 18 days and when hatching out, they don't crack the shell, they actually pip all the way around the shell on the inside first, then the same on the outside, and then push 1/2 the shell off so they can crawl out.  This process of pipping takes 24-48 hours.    

Chrys