Candling photos and stages of development- info compilation (pics!)

[Mrs MIA]

I don't know, redhen... there's been several threads with theories on that, but I think it just depends on the chicken's system and how it deposits the minerals to make the shells.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Adding a picture of an egg where the embryo died about day 7...

You don't want to see dark/black lumps in there... and there would be movement at this stage.

 

[wishin4chicken]

Thank you for the time and effort you put into your post. Wow, it was really fascinating!!! Your pictures were amazing.

Michele.

 

[mahen8622]

I get medium to dark brown eggs its sooo hard to candle them (im a first timer) i can usually only see shadowns nothing really recognizable any tips?

 

[Mrs MIA]

The really dark eggs are very hard, but it can be done with a VERY strong LED light. I believe that an LED penlight, the strongest you can find, will see into them. It helps to take a very thick fabric - a dark flannel or fleece (I have black fleece) - and cut a small (maybe 1/2"?) hole in it, and rubberband it to the light. I think Miss Prissy, or Speckledhen, used something similar in one of their threads on candling. I can see into the Button quail and coturnix eggs with a covered penlight. My light brahmas lay pretty dark eggs, and I have a hard time seeing into them until about day 10.
But a very dark room, and a very bright light will usually see into the darkest eggs.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
You're welcome.

 

[wyliefarms]

Ok, stupid question.

What are you looking for when you first candle them to know that they are fertile? I'm sure my daughter knows but she isn't here right now.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
Well, you can't candle for fertility... but, if they are fertile, then as early as 3 days you can see the veins starting to show up. If by day 7-10 you still have a clear egg, then they either weren't fertile or were damaged in some way to prevent the embryo from germinating.

Speckledhen has a thread on what to look for to see if your eggs are fertile... you're looking for a white spot on the yolk when you crack an egg. If you see a spot with a ring around it, like a bullseye, then the egg is fertile. I will use the eggs in our meals until I see a bullseye, then I'll start setting them aside to incubate once I find they're fertile. Still doesn't always mean they'll hatch, but odds are better.

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
are you in a high elevated area?? If so this supposedly causes it. I am in a high elevated area (on the top of a mt on the side of a valley yes in that order) LOL my GCs are the only birds laying and their eggs are VERY porous and i feed oyster shells and game bird/chicken crumbles


It makes sense from whati've read, higher elevation, less air, so the egg compensates for more porous shells to get more air flow into the egg.

 

[beakkeeper]

Sticky, please? Great info, Tori!