Fertile parrot eggs are frequently cracked while in the nest. Most commonly, this happens when the hen is startled while sitting on the eggs. Cracked eggs can usually be saved, although the chance of a successful hatch is somewhat reduced. It is important to repair cracked fertile eggs, since if they are left as is, the chick inside will dehydrate and most likely die. Repaired eggs may be returned to the nest or artificially incubated. Artificial incubation, while labor intensive, does allow you to monitor the egg for excess water loss and take steps to correct this if it occurs.
Instructions
1. Candle the cracked egg to determine the extent of the damage. Candling should be performed in a darkened room, by shining a bright flashlight or candling light through the egg. Use a lead pencil to draw a circle around the cracks, which may not be fully visible in normal lighting. If you can see a black substance surrounding the cracks while candling, there is fungus growing within the egg and it cannot be saved.
2. Examine the cracks in the egg closely to determine if there is any damage to the inner membrane. If there is, you will usually see albumen (egg whites) or blood on the egg near the crack. These eggs can be repaired but the chances of a successful hatch are slim.
3. Use a small paintbrush to apply a thin coat of glue to the entire area within the circle you drew in Step 1. Allow to dry completely before adding each additional coat. Two to three coats is usually sufficient for cracks that do not penetrate the inner membrane.
4. Allow the egg to air-dry. The glue should be dry enough that it no longer feels tacky when touched, and no longer leaves a residue. If the egg is replaced in the nest without first drying completely, nesting material may adhere to it and prevent the chick from hatching.
5. Replace the egg in the nest, or artificially incubate. Hen parrots are unlikely to reject the repaired egg, but returning the egg to the nest will make it difficult or impossible to monitor closely. If you are comfortable with incubation procedures, you may wish to artificially incubate the egg instead. This will allow you to determine, by candling or weighing the egg, whether too much moisture is being lost. If moisture loss is excessive, additional coats of glue will usually halt this.
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