Moldy Egg - When to Cut.

So some of you know I have an egg that I've been fighting mold on since about day 7 of incubation. Today, the egg is at day 52. Even though I plan on letting the rest of the clutch pip on it's own, I do agree with those who suggested that I cut the egg. The problem is I'm not sure if I should cut it today...or wait until day 54 or 55. I've been taking the egg out of the incubator for about 5 min every 3 days or so to wipe off mold. I'm not sure if that's pertinent information, but I thought I would include that as well. My biggest worry is cutting it too early and risking getting gunk in the egg that may kill the baby. On the other hand, I worry about not cutting soon enough and the baby dying because it couldn't get out on it's own.

I would cut when the others pip at least this way it is hopefully as far along as the others.

I would be super worried about the mold getting into the egg. What were the incubation temps? My last clutch did not start pipping until day 68 and the last one did not pip until day 72. You could have a ways to go. 20 days is a long time to sit with the egg open and mold all around.

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Originally Posted by joebad976

I would cut when the others pip at least this way it is hopefully as far along as the others.

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I was considering this and leaning towards it. I'm just feeling a lot of pressure to go ahead and cut it today. I just don't feel right about cutting it today. If the clutch doesn't pip till day 60...day 52 is really early to cut!

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Originally Posted by Ladybugzcrunch

I would be super worried about the mold getting into the egg. What were the incubation temps? My last clutch did not start pipping until day 68 and the last one did not pip until day 72. You could have a ways to go. 20 days is a long time to sit with the egg open and mold all around.

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Bah! I forgot the most important piece of information! They have been incubated at a steady 88.5* the whole time.

And yes...I'm VERY worried about mold getting into the egg.

Can you post a picture?

My first year, all 5 of my eggs had mold, and all 5 came out healthy. This year, not one single egg that molded survived.

I would wait. You can't actually save a baby from a moldy egg by cutting. At this point, they're going to survive or they're not, but their best chance is in the egg.

Just be patient and wait for the others to pip. I personally would rather lose it that way versus it being because I cut it early.

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Originally Posted by loonunit

Can you post a picture?

My first year, all 5 of my eggs had mold, and all 5 came out healthy. This year, not one single egg that molded survived.

I would wait. You can't actually save a baby from a moldy egg by cutting. At this point, they're going to survive or they're not, but their best chance is in the egg.

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I will get you a picture as soon as I'm home! I actually expected this egg to die a long time ago. It looks AWFUL.

Well, I found out this year that the baby can be dead inside, but the egg may take a week or more to figure it out. :(

I'm another vote for the waiting game. Either it'll be ok or it won't, and adding mold to the environment sure as shootin' can't help the baby's chances. Wait til your first pipper, and then take the chance. :hug:

Here is a picture of the moldy egg. It looks HORRIBLE so viewer discretion is advised. The white stuff is just some anti-fungal powder goo stuff. And no, it doesn't smell. I'm amazed. The mold has stopped growing the last week or so...not sure why it suddenly stopped, but it did.

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/825/pwx8.jpg