Candeling eggs

[chickensval]

Whether you are hatching quail,chickens, ducks , geese,ect., it is important to know if the baby is developing or if the egg is fertile. If you don't throw out infertile eggs, or dead eggs, they will explode in the incubator and contaminate the other eggs. Leading to more dead embryos.
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How do I know to throw out an egg?
-on days 4-5 of incubation period, you should candle the eggs for the first time. To candle the eggs, you should shine a bright light into the egg. You can also use an egg candler. These are sold at many farmers markets and feed stores.
If an egg is infertile, it will appear clear with no blood vessels. You will only see the yolk and air cell. The egg will look like this:

A dead embryo is another reason to throw the egg out. To find out if it is dead, candle the egg and there will be a blood ring around the bunch of vessels. It will sometimes produce a foul smell. It will look like this:

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How should the developing embryo look?
- on days 4-5 of the incubation period, the embryo will look like hairlines of blood vessels running from a bean-like shape. Like this:

-on day seven (7), the entire egg will have blood vessels running through it.

-By at least day 10, the egg will be dark other than the air sac. The baby will be almost fully developed and will not let light pass through its body.

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Here is one of my duck eggs at day 6:

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I hope I helped and happy hatching!!

 

[five is my dog]

thank you!

 

[glendor787]

Hello chickensval,

So in 5 days I can open the incubator and candle the eggs? Isn't that affect the temperature?
Thank you,
V/r,
Glenda

 

[chickensval]

Hello chickensval,

So in 5 days I can open the incubator and candle the eggs? Isn't that affect the temperature?
Thank you,
V/r,
Glenda

In natural incubation, the mother hen gets off the nest for 15 minutes a day to go eat and drink water. I candle my eggs every day and I've noticed that they start developing by 4-5 days. As long as you don't have them out for too long, they should be fine . I wouldn't recommend canceling them if the room is "too cold" . Just about room temperature should be fine.

 

[glendor787]

Thank you for the prompt reply. So I can open the incubator, look at them and close it back with no problem? I'm keeping them on my far living room to avoid the ac temp fluctuation!

V/r,
Glenda

 

[chickensval]

Thank you for the prompt reply. So I can open the incubator, look at them and close it back with no problem? I'm keeping them on my far living room to avoid the ac temp fluctuation!

V/r,
Glenda

You're welcome! And you shouldn't have any problems as far as temperature loss. Happy hatching!
Val

 

[glendor787]

3 more days and I should be a proud mother hen!! I will post pictures!!

 

[glendor787]

Today is day 21... Only one hatched ( yesterday). He seems strong but don't want to eat. What should I do? I also got a heater near him to keep him warm. Any ideas?

 

[glendor787]

 

[chickensval]

Today is day 21... Only one hatched ( yesterday). He seems strong but don't want to eat. What should I do? I also got a heater near him to keep him warm. Any ideas?

All chicks should be kept in a brooder. This is a place where the peeps will live until feathered out. It should have a consistent temperature that varys among age and is your babies are chicks, ducklings, goslings, ect. Babies are not developed enough and their bodies do not put off heat as an adults would. Heat lamps are usually around only 2-5 bucks. And should have a red bulb to prevent cannibalism. I recommend doing a bit or research on the brooder. If you don't already have one made, that is. Feed him chick starter crumbles. First sprinkle some on a paper napkin and tap them with your finger if he isn't eating already. Dip his beak in his water to make sure he knows how to drink. Baby birds ave very delicate and need special attention. Hope I helped.