Broody hen on 3 eggs........ when should I candle them...

[standardbanty]

I a have a hen on 3 eggs ....they are 7days ...6 days ...and 5 days old....(the eggs) When should i candle and what should i look for?



Thanks

 

[luvmychix]

Quote:
I may be wrong, but I don't think you do.......

 

[kyeschicks]

you would probably candle them on day 4 or 5 and you'll see little blood vessels and candle again on day 8 or 9 and you'll see the embryo's big and with a lot of blood vessels and the embryo's swimming

you don't have to candle them if you want to

 

[cajunlizz]

why just 3 eggs ? .... Make her a real mommy next time and give her at least 6 eggs just incase some dont hatch

 

[swtangel321]

I usally do it on day 12ish just to make sure there are no bad eggs under then hen (exploding eggs are very messy,stinky and can cause the other eggs to have a bad hatch) Some don't candle at all but like I said I rather remove any bad/dud eggs !!!

At day 12ish you should be able to see a god size "blob" in the egg, any egg clear by day 12 is bad/dud.

I always candle in the coop, I try to do it while the broody is off the nest eating,drinking !!

 

[MissPrissy]

Honestly, if she is broody and setting her clutch just leave her alone and check back in 21 days. Offer her a little extra food toward the end to keep her energy up. Canned whole kernel corn and ACV in her water kept close by her would be a blessing.

If they are bad eggs she will know and push them out of the nest. Chickens know far more than we do. If you handle them too early as some suggested at 4 - 5 days you can be fooled into thinking they aren't devloping. You really shouldn't candle before 7 - 10 days. When you do candle be super careful. Moving them around too much can shake up the embryo and cause it to die.

If you mess with her and the eggs too much she may break her brood and get off the eggs and not return.

 

[cluckychick]

I agree with Miss P. I've set two clutches under broodies and I don't candle. Both times 100% hatch.

Good Luck