Any way to tell other than candling...?

[Vrune]

I know that candling is the way to check whether or not the eggs are fertile but my eggs have brown shells and I'm not having luck seeing anything that way. It's day 16 and I was just wondering if anyone had any old wives' ways of telling whether or not the eggs have chicks in them? Some of my eggs feel heavier than the others. Could that mean anything? I know there's no way to tell for sure other than candling but if anyone has any little tricks that help them tell I'd love to hear them...

 

[Providence Too]

Hi!

Rather a newbie too with the same identification problem concerning brown eggs. The last day I candeled was day 17 right before lockdown. If the egg was dark or if I was not sure I just played the waiting game. To my surprise several of the "I'm not sure" eggs hatched. Almost all of my chicks hatched Sunday and Monday with a few late bloomers this morning. I actually have several left that may just have not made it that I know were fertile on day 17. It was a nice surprise to have the dark brown eggs hatch. Glad I kept them around!

Stacie

 

[raimnel]

Fertile? or developing?.............. was my first thought. but since ur on day 16 I'm guessing ur incubating right?


I've noticed that eggs WITH chicks in them layed on their sides lay differently then eggs with no chick. but ya can't tell if it's still alive without seeing it move.
When I pick up these that are 10 days in, their a bit............. off balance????????? I don't know how to describe it.............. when I lay them on their side they like roll to the heavy spot???????????? does that tell u anything?

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

What kind of light are you candleing with? A VERY strong light is necessary. My suggestions is to order a "cool light" candler off Ebay. I think they are around $12 - $15 and are worth it.

I have a very strong LED flashlight and cut a toilet paper tube to fit around the end. There shouldn't be any light coming out between the flashlight and the egg so the light is directly into the egg.

At day 16 you should not be able to see anything but the air cell at the large end and the rest is dark...if there are live chicks inside.

 

[catwalk]

Developing eggs are suppossed to get lighter as time goes on, and the air sac should get bigger. See if you can candle well enough to see the air sac, and compare it to a freshly laid/purchased egg. At hatch, eggs should be 15% lighter, give or take. I know that will take a very sensitive scale, or you could make a balance, with a fresh egg on one side, and your (hopefully) developing egg on the other. Not as scientific, but it might give you an idea of what's going on.

 

[chik magnet]

My grandmother used to hatch and when she couldn't candle the eggs she weighed them with a little scale. I've never tried it personly but she says it should work .

 

[Vrune]

Thanks for all the advice. Sorry Raimnel, yes I meant developing, not fertile. Oops. I just have 6 eggs in the incubator, four of them feel lighter than the other two. Don't know if that means they've got chicks in them but I guess I'll find out in a few of days...

Definitely will look into getting one of those lights for candling for next time.. Haven't noticed them rolling in any way. Fingers crossed I'll have some little chicks on Monday...