Having trouble figuring out if some eggs are fertile...

[cindyanne1]

We have 13 days left to go in our R-com Mini, and I only know one egg is growing for sure. I'm about 50% sure on one other one, but not at all sure on the third. :\\

They're Welsummer eggs, so they're rather dark. I know that's my problem and I shouldn't have started with Welsummers as my first hatchings, but I wasn't thinking at the time apparently, lol.

Anyway, on the lightest egg, we can see an embryo with an eye, and it's moving around. Good. On the next lightest, I *think* I see a dark spot inside and I think it *might* be moving, but I'm not sure. On the darkest egg I can't see anything inside, but I do see a well-defined air cell at the end.

I'm afraid of a bad egg exploding inside the incubator, but I also don't want to throw away eggs that are developing. Do any of you have any ideas for better candling methods, other things to look for, etc? (For candling, I'm using the R-Com scope that fits on the Mini incubator.)

Thanks everyone!

 

[natalie1136]

We use a bright light with a metal coffee can over the top. Cut a small hole in the top. Also make sure it is very dark in the room.

 

[Greenwood Chick]

I'm incubating Welsummer eggs right now too and also am having a hard time telling what's going on in there.

I am using an LED flashlight inside a little box with a hole cut into it. I rest the egg against the hole. Same as you, I see the air cell and very little else.

The last batch we hatched was our first batch and were white eggs. Wonderful for candleing! We could see everything clearly which was great for the kids. (and for me)

Ours are due 8/13. I'll be curious to see if anyone else has any 'tricks' to recommend for these dark eggs! Good luck with your hatch!

 

[saddina]

The R-com is really well designed, so I would be inclined to let the hatch run it's course. Since the eggs are dark, assume it's you and not the eggs, unless you smell something foul, let them cook in there.