Candling on day 18 before lockdown

[Digby57]

Today is day 18 (lockdown) for my second batch of eggs. I candled them and had the same result as last time, I saw no reason to cull any eggs. It makes me wonder what I am really looking for on day 18.

On both batches I have candled days 0, 7, 14 and 18. Most of my culls have been on day 7, with just a few on day 14. I have not culled any eggs days 0 or 18. Maybe someone can explain what I'm really looking for. I can clearly see which to pull on day 7 and day 14 seems pretty self explanatory also. I have looked at all the commonly referred to threads here and watched a few youtube videos, but I'm still not really clear. I am just making a mental note of the difference I see in air sacks, I haven't been tracing them or weighing or anything like that.

 

[NonnasBabies]

I have a hard time trying to figure out what I'm seeing when it comes to candling. I have a Brinsea candler and it works well. I also never cull. I never had a problem except for one explosion and that was before I ever candled the first egg!! I guess in a way I let nature take it's course. I think it just takes a time and practice.. Good luck

 

[RodNTN]

Most of the shell should be dark on day 18, you might be able to see a few veins.

 

[Digby57]

Ok good, that is what I'm seeing. Seems like the natural progression from what you see on day 14 compared to what you would expect to see a few days before they hatch. I'm glad to hear its just that simple. Thanks.

 

[RodNTN]

Your eggs sound good! They grow so fast, don't they?

 

[Digby57]

It is pretty remarkable, especially the difference between days 7 and 14. My first batch of 35 eggs was somewhat of a disaster. I culled 15 on day 7. This go around I culled only 4 out of 26 on day 7. I am attributing that difference to increasing the humidity during my pre-incubation storage, which I did not realize was so important on that first batch.

I read that on day 7 of my 9 days of collecting that first time, and checked the humidity in the wine fridge to find out it was like 45%! This time I was able to keep it pretty much above 60%. Then again, these are young hens, and I suppose an additional 6 weeks of maturity could make a big difference too.

 

[RodNTN]

Yay!! So glad this batch has been more successful so far

 

[Digby57]

Thanks! Day 20 today and I checked at dawn to find one already out and now there are 12 more pipped. That's exactly what I had on day 20 last time as a percentage. I'm not counting them before they're hatched. Well yes I am, who am I kidding?