candling eggs

[johnnam]

Hi everyone, I don't respond to many posts but I have read a ton of them, thanks to all who has responded to mine. I am trying to hatch my first set of eggs. I got 18 off of ebay and only six have developed. I don't think the others were even fertile. Anyway I am on day 15 and when I candle the eggs there is a space that is about 1/4 of the egg that is empty space, some of them have odd shapes. There isn't any blood vessels in this part of the egg either, it looks kinda big for the air pocket. Is this just because the chick isn't big enough to fill it up yet or am I doomed. I have faithfully turned them three times a day at the same time everyday. Last night when I candled them they were all moving.

 

[Sharona]

I'm no pro but if you see an air pocket and movement sounds like to me you are doing good!

 

[tiffanyh]

The air pockets gets larger as time goes on. That is normal and they arent all shaped the same. You shouldn't really see to many veins now---- you definatley wont see any in the air cell.

Sounds like things are perfect. My best advice to you, leave the top on until they hatch! It truely makes a difference!

 

[jackiedon]

Here is a website

http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/Embryology/candling.shtml

jackie

 

[johnnam]

Thanks everyone! I am getting really nervous as the hatch date approaches. I hope I get at least one that makes it.

 

[silkiechicken]

At day 15 you should see an air sac at the big end clearly. Now on the opposite side, the pointy end, you should be seeing a slightly clear part of area that the chick hasn't moved into or used to move in the egg yet. It has alot of growing left in that last week before hatch! Unless you have a high power light behind the chick, you will probably not see many veins. There are some but the chick should block up most of that area. The odd shapes is probally the chick's body growing in to the inner egg space. I would just wait and cross your fingers. Good luck!