FIRST TIME HATCHING!

[Chop33]

I have a buff orpington sitting on 6 eggs. She has been on nest for seven days now How long till I can candle the eggs to see if there growing? Also how long till they hatch?

 

[HEChicken]

Chicken eggs take 21 days of incubation.

I know a lot of people do candle when their broodies are sitting but I didn't. My hen probably would have let me but I really just wanted to let her be and let her do the job. Often times they know if an egg is not good and will kick it out of the nest. Otherwise I prefer not to meddle with them.

When using an incubator, I candle on day 10, as by then it is easy to see the eggs that are clear.

 

[Chop33]

Thanks I will weight till this weekend. If I do it at all!

 

[Arielle]

IT's fun to look at the developing eggs. THe hard part is you need total darkness to candle. I would go out to the barn about 10-11 at night just to candle a few. You can candle or not candle.
Enjoy.