Candling Duck Eggs? Opinions Needed

[fawnda]

I candled these duck eggs at day 9 and not really sure what I'm looking at. I had problems with the temperature early on (was 4 degrees too low) and initially it looked like 7 of 9 eggs were forming arteries etc and 2 were infertile. I think a couple may have since died? The one that looks like a bullseye, is that a blood ring? I have a hard time determining movement. I have outlined the air cell on day 9 so I can see if it gets bigger. Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[Pyxis]

Some of them are clears and are definitely not growing, and might not have ever started.

I suspect all of them have quit, but it's hard to tell for sure since you're candling through the side of the egg. It's much easier to see detail if you candle through the air cell. But, on day nine I would expect to see a lot of veining. I don't see any, and I'm not if it's not there, or if it's just not in the pictures due to the angle of candling.

 

[fawnda]

Yeah, I initially saw the "spider" with veining, but a few days later I had a hard time seeing that again. 5 of the eggs are Cayuga and a dark gray, but I had initially saw the veining in those so not sure if they died or just harder to tell as it gets more diffuse.

 

[nchls school]

When I look at these pictures I am unable to see clearly; too much reflected light off the shells. It is obvious that development started. The best I can tell you is to look closely at the line formed where the air cell meets the embryo; if that line is crisp and distinct, the embryo is alive. If that line is fuzzy, hazy, or blurred the embryo has died. When death occurs the air cell membrane breaks down quickly as do the blood vessels. No distinct blood vessels also mean the embryo has died. At this stage you should see the blood vessels easily.

 

[fawnda]

When I look at these pictures I am unable to see clearly; too much reflected light off the shells. It is obvious that development started. The best I can tell you is to look closely at the line formed where the air cell meets the embryo; if that line is crisp and distinct, the embryo is alive. If that line is fuzzy, hazy, or blurred the embryo has died. When death occurs the air cell membrane breaks down quickly as do the blood vessels. No distinct blood vessels also mean the embryo has died. At this stage you should see the blood vessels easily.

Ok, thanks! Yes, a couple have indistinct air cells for sure. I will look for that next time and see if I can tell better which ones have quit developing.

 

[MadBob1360]

Any news. My Duck Bill has a broody nest with 10 Saxony/Buff Orphington cross breed eggs. While I the spidering or any distinct features were never obvious, some do have the air bubble clearly visible.
BTW, I have 2 ducks sitting on one next. Anybody know: Is this normal?