Candled at day 4. Not seeing a whole lot

[Bigrooster1]

I candled my eggs tonight. I have 12 eggs. Only seeing veins in a couple. It is day 4. Should I be worried?

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

No, too soon to worry. Candling may not be clear, shell might be thick, yolk may be obstructing view. Wait and try again in a few days.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

If only a few were fertile would you not be continuing? May as well give all of them the chance

 

[Bigrooster1]

If only a few were fertile would you not be continuing? May as well give all of them the chance

True. This is my first time doing it. So I’m brand new to this. I read online and you get all kinds of opinions. So I’m just curious and what you guys may know.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

Absolutely, this is a great spot to find everything you are interested in learning.

Give them a few days and, if you can, take pictures of the eggs as you candle them. You'll be able to refer to the pictures and post them here if necessary.

Get a sharpie (waterproof thick marker) and number the eggs. You can take notes in a book or pad to note down each egg's progress and compare it to the other Eggs.

If you are using an incubator you can ask questions about it, I am pretty sure someone here has tried it. (Put the model name/number in the title of the thread to give yourself the most visibility)

Don't be shy, ask away, and read the older posts too. You'll want to know ahead of time what can happen so you know how to respond. (When to help and when to be patient)

If you see someone who is especially knowledgeable you can tag them when asking questions.

Welcome to BYC and welcome to the most stressful month imaginable staring at and fretting over... Eggs (of all things!) we worry and love our little feather dusters. It is sincere love though. Personally I can't sleep without going out to check on them (one last time) just before bed.

The bad news is that your worrying won't end when they hatch. Find the article about 'chicken math with quiz' to know what is coming.

Personally I think it is a good sign that you are worried, it means that you will be a great mother hen.

 

[Ridgeback825]

True. This is my first time doing it. So I’m brand new to this. I read online and you get all kinds of opinions. So I’m just curious and what you guys may know.

I don't bother candling until day 10 and don't throw any out until day 14. Patience.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

@Bigrooster1

How are they now? I have 7 with a first time duck-mom.

First time I candled there were only 3 (maybe 4 if you squint just right) that had veins, but now all 7 have little lines all over. Gosh i am more worried about 7 new little fluffy bums in the garden! Duck poo can be a lot to deal with. But if they are born, we'll have to figure it out

 

[Bigrooster1]

@Bigrooster1

How are they now? I have 7 with a first time duck-mom.

First time I candled there were only 3 (maybe 4 if you squint just right) that had veins, but now all 7 have little lines all over. Gosh i am more worried about 7 new little fluffy bums in the garden! Duck poo can be a lot to deal with. But if they are born, we'll have to figure it out

@Bigrooster1

How are they now? I have 7 with a first time duck-mom.

First time I candled there were only 3 (maybe 4 if you squint just right) that had veins, but now all 7 have little lines all over. Gosh i am more worried about 7 new little fluffy bums in the garden! Duck poo can be a lot to deal with. But if they are born, we'll have to figure it out

I candeled Saturday and I think 10 out of 12 are doing great. The other two I’m not sure but I am going to leave them be for a while and check them again in couple days maybe.

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

I candeled Saturday and I think 10 out of 12 are doing great. The other two I’m not sure but I am going to leave them be for a while and check them again in couple days maybe.

That is wonderful!

I am glad you gave them a chance

if the other two aren't good you'll see that soon enough.

Fingers crossed for your babies

By the way, you don't need to do a lot of candling. You can let them be.

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

Just curious, what type/color eggs are they?