Candling Eggs

[quirkybeeper]

I have a mama Pekin that's been sitting for about a week and a half to 2 weeks. I want to candle the eggs, or at least some of them, to find out if they're fertilized or not so that I can throw out any bad ones that may be in there. I don't want to bother her though...I had a duck that stopped sitting before when I bothered her nest, but I think that was because we tried to build a shelter over her nest (it was out in the middle of the blazing sun, and I could tell she was very hot!!).

Anyway, would it be ok for me to pick up the eggs and check them while she's up, or should I just let them be? Any advice is much appreciated!!!

 

[Habibs Hens]

leave the eggs alone

mamma should know the bad ones and push them out

what you can do is candle them when mamma goes to eat drink and poop

don't let her see you though

 

[quirkybeeper]

There are some that she has pushed out and they're right in front of her nest box...can I go ahead and pick those up and toss them out?

 

[Miss Lydia]

There are some that she has pushed out and they're right in front of her nest box...can I go ahead and pick those up and toss them out?

I always candle on day 7 after she has started sitting full time and then weekly after that, always when she is out and other wise occupied, sometime they just have too many eggs and will push them out. Do you know how many she is sitting on. and yes take the eggs she has pushed out and toss them. I'd leave them for the day then pick them up at days end. then you'll know for sure she has diff gotten rid of them..

 

[quirkybeeper]

Thanks for the advice!! Maybe I'll get my boyfriend to go spray them down with the hose to distract her while I check the nest...they love the hose

 

[Habibs Hens]

Thanks for the advice!! Maybe I'll get my boyfriend to go spray them down with the hose to distract her while I check the nest...they love the hose

don't spray mum with a hose it will cool her down and the eggs wont get incubated properly and may die

 

[quirkybeeper]

don't spray mum with a hose it will cool her down and the eggs wont get incubated properly and may die

Ah, don't want that! Wouldn't swimming do the same thing though? Maybe I can just make some treats for them.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Ah, don't want that! Wouldn't swimming do the same thing though? Maybe I can just make some treats for them.

I keep a small plastic pool out side of my houses so mama broody can come out eat swim and POOP with out going far, seems as soon as the boys see her she is fair game so try to help her out.

she needs the moisture to keep the humidity at the right level for brooding. but I'd let her make the decision on when she wants to get wet.