**Candling egg that was left on nest after hen killed...need advice**

[sfogle]

Hello, I have a very unique situation and hoping someone on here could shed some light on it.

We just lost our turkey hen today with her 9 babies. She had 2 eggs left on her nest, so we decided to put them under our broody chicken, who is also sitting on 5 chicken eggs. We have no idea when these eggs would've been scheduled to hatch, as the other 9 chicks were a complete surprise.

I candled both turkey eggs and there is hardly any light showing through, so I know it is at the very end...just not sure if the chick inside is even alive. I thought I saw movement in one, but so hard to tell. If the egg is full and dark inside, I assume that means it is close to hatch date. Will there be alot of movement or not? I am so hopeful that these 2 chicks will hatch as it would be so neat since their mom didn't make it. But...I just can't tell.

Any tips/suggestions on being sure if chick inside is alive or another way to candle...what to look for....etc...

I would appreciate any advice you could give me...been a really hard day for my kids and I as we had our hen for several years and her 9 chicks just hatched a couple days ago.

Thanks!

 

[thebanthams]

I just candled my eggs last night and there was NO movements. It was dark . I marked it with the pencil just in case , it hatched this morning ! ( Mommy chickie did a good job. ) I got another one hatching any minute !

 

[KrisH]

Very little movement and hard to see at the end. can usually tell very near hatch by the slope of the air sack.

RobertH

 

[boochaces]

PICS!!!