fertile eggs

[missychicky]

What does a fertile egg look like? I have never hatched eggs before so I don't know what to look for when I'm candling the eggs. The eggs in question are on day six and I have no idea how to tell fertile from infertile. Thanks.

 

[LarryPQ]

Day six is a little early, especially if you are a first-timer. I know, I know...so hard to wait.


Candling Info Here

 

[ADozenGirlz]

By day 4 or 5 you should be able to see distinct veining and a little black shadow that is the developing embryo. Here are some pictures of my Blue Splash Marans eggs at Day 5 in the bator:

This is a photo at Day 4 in the bator of my Barred Rock/Easter Eggers:

This is the only other way to tell that they're fertile, but they don't hatch that well after this procedure for some reason.

These websites might help you too:
http://shilala.homestead.com/candling.html
http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/Embryology/embryophotos.shtml
http://chickscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/explore/embryology/