Do shipped eggs take a little longer to develope?

[kathyinmo]

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Ya know, Jody, I keep sayin' that also. Too many get too excited at wanting to candle, and actually ruin the hatch by fumbling around with the eggs when they are trying to develop. That first week is crucial. I think they get knocked loose, and "quit," from being handled too much.

Note, this is all my opinion. I am no expert.

 

[Katy]

I try to always wait until day 10 to candle too. By that time you can tell for sure and I agree it's not good to keep messing with them those first few days.

 

[dianneS]

What about turning them? I've read that some don't turn them the first three days. Has anyone ever tried that?

 

[Akane]

I've candled some eggs every day of incubation and did not lose one chick. I also hand turned for the longest time so 3 times a day I handled the eggs and after I figured things out I had the same hatch rates as I'm having now with a turner. Unless you are handling them very roughly or do something dumb (I tapped a dent in one with the end of my flashlight once) in my opinion candling and handling eggs does absolutely no harm at any time during incubation. A hen would be shoving eggs around and tilting them various directions all day long.

 

[kingpincray]

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I am incubating my first duck eggs and I discovered that they are slower to show. I didn't start to see the veins until day 10 or so. Mine is hatching nest friday and I can't wait...

 

[dianneS]

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That's what I was thinking too. I've had hens be pretty rough on their eggs, even other hens on their nests, eggs get knocked out of the nest that I later put back, and they all hatched. Of course I'm handling them carefully. I am going to keep my hands off of them for a while, which is really hard! But I would like to see some major progress next time I candle. I'm just so pleased that I see veins now, I'll rest a little easier for a few days!

 

[dianneS]

Okay, I made it to day nine! I candled again. Only one looks a little questionable and I think that one might just be a little behind the rest. I'm not ready to throw it out yet. So at least 13 out of 14 have veins, I can see eyes and major movement!

Its a lot harder to see through them now, but I can see the little buggers rockin' and rollin' inside there, its awesome! I feel better now and so excited!

 

[mulia24]

well, (if and we hope if everything's okay) then in less than 2 weeks you'll have little cute fluffy chicks.

 

[dianneS]

Okay, three eggs had to be thrown out when I candled for the last time. The rest were developing and even visible movement at lockdown. We're getting chirping from inside the shells now!

I didn't set them until late in the evening on November 5th, so I don't expect to see too much going on until later, but right now were rocking and chirping!

 

[newduckie]

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Really? I thought you set them big end up before putting them in the incubator to get the air to the big end? Anyway, that is what I did before setting them, put them in a carton, big end up for 12 hours, then candled them to look for the yolk and the air sac. They didn't appear scrambled is all.

Anyway, I just broke down and candled all of them very quickly and at least 9 have definite veins

two are boarderline, not sure if I saw veins or not, and three are still just yolks, no veins at all, but still too early to be sure. So I'm happy now!

I will leave them alone until day seven, I swear I will!

Your posts are making me laugh... That is the way I am. I say, I will leave them, but then I just have to have a quick peek..lol