The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (10) for handling calcium carbonate shells (11) of hatching eggs (12) in order to help chicks hatch on industrial and other poultry farms. The apparatus (10) at least comprises: • a conveying device (1, 1a, 1b) which allows at least one hatching egg (12) to be supplied and discharged within the apparatus (10); • a detection device (18, 18a) for detecting a zone (3) associated with the hatching eggs (12) and the air cell (13) of the hatching egg (12) and for converting the data about said zone (3) into electric data; • an evaluation and control unit (6) which acquires and processes the electric data transmitted by the detection device (18, 18a) as well as the data about the position of a handling device (7) for creating a predetermined breaking point above the boundaries (17) of the air cell (13) that are formed by the calcium carbonate shell (11), the air cell (13) being located at the large end (14) of the egg; • and the aforementioned handling devic
