Do I take the un fertilized eggs out ?

[sharaw20]

So I'm new to this whole broody hen thing. I bought a dozen eggs from a friend. And from what I am seeing only one eggs is good out of what I have left. I should be able to see if there is a chick by now right? I am on day 16. What should I do with the rest of the eggs. Should I just leave them in until the one I know is fertilized hatches. Or what. ? Thanks.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

So I'm new to this whole broody hen thing. I bought a dozen eggs from a friend. And from what I am seeing only one eggs is good out of what I have left. I should be able to see if there is a chick by now right? I am on day 16. What should I do with the rest of the eggs. Should I just leave them in until the one I know is fertilized hatches. Or what. ? Thanks.

The egg should be pretty full and black by day 16, you can se daily candling pics here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...g-candling-pics-progression-though-incubation

I would pull the clears and and quitters.

 

[appps]

Yeah I agree, by day 16 there's really very little chance you are mistaking a fertilised egg for a dud. The one good one should look different enough that you could see it's not like the others if they aren't fertile.

I would remove them. My last hatch I had one go rotten and it stunk. As soon as I lifted the lid I knew all was not right it was that strong. I've read of fun (not) experiences of others too where they have gone from there to exploding. You don't want to risk rotten egg getting all over the good one or even worse, having to clean rotten egg out of the incubator

 

[sharaw20]

I will be doing my last candling tonight as I don't want to move them much after this from what I have read. But the last time I checked the rest of the eggs just glowed there was no dark. I have read you can keep them but have read to discard. This is my first time with a broody hen and fertilized eggs. Thanks .

 

[n8ivetxn]

Yeah I agree, by day 16 there's really very little chance you are mistaking a fertilised egg for a dud. The one good one should look different enough that you could see it's not like the others if they aren't fertile.

I just did my day 14 candle and removed the duds, there were a lot

. I was so afraid to do it, but I figured by day 14 I should be able to see a noticeable difference between the good and the bad.

I will be doing my last candling tonight as I don't want to move them much after this from what I have read. But the last time I checked the rest of the eggs just glowed there was no dark. I have read you can keep them but have read to discard. This is my first time with a broody hen and fertilized eggs. Thanks

.

Good luck!

 

[sharaw20]

Out of 12 that I started with. 4 broke and and 9 were not dark at all. And three were dark with the bubble at the bottom. So she is on three eggs. We will find out. Monday is day 21. We cross my fingers. If this didn't take them I'm waiting until the spring. I am in Ontario and winter is coming soon and I don't want the chicks the get cold. So I'll be waiting not til spring if these little guys don't make it. But my fingers are crossed

 

[n8ivetxn]

Bbbrrr! Ontario - that is cold!

The 4 that broke, might have gotten bacterial infection from the hen tracking in and out of the nest. That usually causes the egg to rot and explode.
The 9 clears sound like they might be infertile.

In the next day or two, you might watch the hen and see if she appears to be listening to the eggs, or if she's actually clucking at them... that's a good sign. I've seen broodies actually cocking their heads to the side like they can hear the chick peeping before it hatches. They will cluck back at the chick to encourage it. - Gotta love broody hens