Candling eggs. Are they viable?

[nikchick]

I have a broody hen that's been setting since the 14th. She was off the nest for a bit today so we decided to candle a few eggs. I dont have pics because it was spur of the moment. All the eggs we candle seemed to be dark for a little more tha 3/4 of the egg and the other part seemed empty. Is this normal for this stage of chick development? She was locked out of the nest for a few hours the other night because of storm winds closing the door but we decided to leave the eggs until hatch date just incase. I would hate to discard viable eggs.

Edit: we were able to get pics of an egg or two.

Is that the head of a chick near the air cell in the top picture? We were able to see some of the chicks move inside the eggs.

 

[GitaBooks]

That's just what my eggs looked like! And my hen got locked away from them a few hours also! And we decided to let her keep them too!

She had 9 and at least 7 survived the cold (though one we broke, two died before hatching and one died during hatching), however, a couple went dormant and hatched a little later than expected.
I wouldn't give up yet!


I hope it all turns out awesome! Best of luck.

Susie with her chicks, the ones that hatched on time. The others we put in the incubator

 

[nikchick]

Your post gives me hope. Maybe we will have some independence day chickies!

Susie is beautiful! Love the spots and her black beak against her white feathers.

 

[GitaBooks]

Thanks.
She's a white Silkie, Silver Sebright, Red Pyle OEG bantam mix. I call her and her sister the Dalmatian sisters, because of the spots.

 

[nikchick]

She's probably one of the prettiest I've seen.

 

[CherriesBrood]

Yes! I too love Susie! I've only seen one other breed like that, that I want badly, which is the splash Americana. But regarding your eggs, it looks like they are all alive for sure, and that they are developing well, and yes that is normal the clear spot, that's the air sack, and the darkness is the chick. Have fun! I'm putting some eggs in my incubator on Friday and can't wait! It'll be my fith batc, that is hatched myself.

 

[GitaBooks]

Yes! I too love Susie! I've only seen one other breed like that, that I want badly, which is the splash Americana. But regarding your eggs, it looks like they are all alive for sure, and that they are developing well, and yes that is normal the clear spot, that's the air sack, and the darkness is the chick. Have fun!

I'm putting some eggs in my incubator on Friday and can't wait! It'll be my fith batc, that is hatched myself.

That's awesome. I've only used my incubator once, usually my broody hens do all the work, but I'm starting to get into the idea of buying eggs instead of chicks. You don't have to get as many (15 at least from my hatcheries), they can't carry as many health problems, and the chicks aren't as stressed after hatching.

Any tips you could give to a newbie?

 

[nikchick]

This will be our first batch. Our broody gets to do all the work and we get enjoy the chicks! We had freerange chickens when I was growing up, but they always went off to nest and came back with half grown chicks.

 

[CherriesBrood]

Yes! I too love Susie! I've only seen one other breed like that, that I want badly, which is the splash Americana. But regarding your eggs, it looks like they are all alive for sure, and that they are developing well, and yes that is normal the clear spot, that's the air sack, and the darkness is the chick. Have fun! I'm putting some eggs in my incubator on Friday and can't wait! It'll be my fith batc, that is hatched myself.

That's awesome. I've only used my incubator once, usually my broody hens do all the work, but I'm starting to get into the idea of buying eggs instead of chicks. You don't have to get as many (15 at least from my hatcheries), they can't carry as many health problems, and the chicks aren't as stressed after hatching.

Any tips you could give to a newbie?

Yes, but I have my own Roos that I use to fertilize my eggs, actually I'd rather do it your way because you can get different breeds. But cha know hatching your own eggs is so cool! It's such a neat experience! And sure, I love to help with chickens. Well you know, I'm not quite sure what tips to give you, but can I recommend this great video? I'll post the link.

 

[CherriesBrood]