candling day 4

[sherriwv]

I think I have 7 for sure developing and another 5 in question! Started off with 22 eggs and 2 showing hairline cracks. Since this is my first time I am questioning the maybes, one of them looks like something dark is floating around but see no veining. Also I seen a small blood line in one so who knows what all I have going on! Second guessing myself. Pretty excited though after seeing some veining.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Candling on Day 4 is really risky. Not all eggs develop in exactly the same way. Some shells are a lot harder to see inside than others. I never candle until Day 7 and with some of my eggs, especially the green ones, it’s still hard to see inside.

Candling is a lot of fun, pure excitement, but patience is your best friend.

 

[lazy gardener]

I agree with RR. Hi. My name is Lazy gardener, and I'm a candling addict! I just love to see the miracle of life unfolding inside those eggs. So, I'll candle a few at day 4, and often will candle at least an egg/day when I open the bator to turn those eggs. Mama hen gets off the clutch on a regular basis for her eat and dump, so I don't think there's any harm done by sneaking an egg out. Any eggs after day 7 that are ?able, get marked with a big ? mark. I always err on the side of caution before removing any eggs. Just be super careful, and cradle those eggs well, as I think (IMO) those vascular systems are pretty delicate. Days 10 - 14 are the best. What an incredible sight to witness a chick dancing around in the shadows of the egg.

 

[1muttsfan]

Yes, while it is soooo attractive to candle, it is really much safer for the eggs and developing chicks to handle the eggs only as nesscessary. Also, day 4 is too early to be reliable - which means you will have to candle again at around day 10. I don't know how many times I have read of people dropping eggs (usually onto another egg, damaging them both) and killing developing embryos, much to their guilt and despair.

 

[sherriwv]

All these eggs were shipped and I have read that the hatch rate isn't good. Planning on candling again on day 10 so keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I agree with RR. Hi. My name is Lazy gardener, and I'm a candling addict! I just love to see the miracle of life unfolding inside those eggs. So, I'll candle a few at day 4, and often will candle at least an egg/day when I open the bator to turn those eggs. Mama hen gets off the clutch on a regular basis for her eat and dump, so I don't think there's any harm done by sneaking an egg out. Any eggs after day 7 that are ?able, get marked with a big ? mark. I always err on the side of caution before removing any eggs. Just be super careful, and cradle those eggs well, as I think (IMO) those vascular systems are pretty delicate. Days 10 - 14 are the best. What an incredible sight to witness a chick dancing around in the shadows of the egg.

I found my twin!!!!!

I too am a candling addict. Once a day, especially after day 7, I will check 3/4 of the eggs (different ones each night) for progress and to monitor the air cells. Days 7/14/18 I candle all of them and mark my air cells. I also mark any questionable ones with a ? and I usually try to put them all in the same area of the bator/egg turner.
Of course I take all the precautions, hand washing, gentle touch. Love seeing the progression.

 

[WVduckchick]

sherriwv - is the wv for West Virginia? I'm in WV! Good luck to you!

 

[sherriwv]

sherriwv - is the wv for West Virginia?  I'm in WV!  Good luck to you!

yes..West Virginia..

 

[lazy gardener]

I found my twin!!!!!

I too am a candling addict. Once a day, especially after day 7, I will check 3/4 of the eggs (different ones each night) for progress and to monitor the air cells. Days 7/14/18 I candle all of them and mark my air cells. I also mark any questionable ones with a ? and I usually try to put them all in the same area of the bator/egg turner.
Of course I take all the precautions, hand washing, gentle touch. Love seeing the progression.

I'm so good that if the bator is not too full, I can candle where they lay without even picking them up!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I'm so good that if the bator is not too full, I can candle where they lay without even picking them up!

LOL