Day 8 and all I see is dark when I candle them

[Mwilliams32931]

I don't see dots or anything. No light shines through either. I am so confused. Is it too early to float test?

 

[TwoCrows]

Yes, it is too early for float testing. Sometimes really mottled eggs are difficult to see thru. For these types of eggs you will need a very bright light and complete darkness.

 

[Mwilliams32931]

I have texas a&m and 2 unknown. I just need to stop obsessing about it and let it be. I will find out in another week or so. Patience is so hard when it comes to stuff like this, lol

 

[James the Bald]

Here is a link to a video on candling, courtesy of one of our sites sponsors. In the video, you can easily see the air sac, and the embryo is difficult to see, but it's there. I had hoped that they would have also candled an infertile egg for a comparison, but it's their video. You know what... for a comparison, get a regular chicken egg from your refrigerator and candle it... you will see light straight through, and that is what an infertile egg will look like on Day 14.

I candle my quail eggs on day 14 as I put the eggs into Lockdown, that way the embryo is more developed and I won't make the mistake of mis-identifying any eggs. I do not put any duds into lockdown.

 

[laseterlass]

Candling often is not good for quail eggs. They lose heat faster than chicken eggs, have thinner shells and are more likely to be damaged from bumping around. Also shells are more porous if floating at lockdown. Make it VERY quick and warm water.

 

[Kilsharion]

I don't see dots or anything. No light shines through either. I am so confused. Is it too early to float test?

I wouldn't recommend float testing unless absolutely necessary; but, by day 10 there is enough movement in a viable egg (so long as the little bugger isn't asleep) that you'd see it move. Again, I wouldn't recommend it...but, as long as you don't submerge the eggs, you should be fine to do so.