How do I tell if my Black Maran eggs are fertile?

[bwalden]

I've got a dozen Black Copper Maran eggs in the bator. It's day 7 so i candled them. i've hatched eggs in a bator many times before but not these dark Maran eggs. I did purchase these from a breeder and they were shipped USPS. Even through the seller is in the same state as myself i'm a little worried the eggs may have been shaken too much during shipping. i candeled them all before setting and had no visable cracks or damage. it does appear there is a dark area inside the egg but i cannot tell if its the yolk or if there is more??? Any suggestions would help.

 

[kathyinmo]

If they hatch, they were fertile.

 

[redhen]

LOL, Kathy,..

bwalden, its very hard with marans eggs,.. you need a really good small pocket LED flashlight,...
Look for different shades inside the egg and later on any little movements...
You can also maybe weigh them,... if they weigh more in a few days, there may be a baby growing inside...

 

[kathyinmo]

Red,
During incubation the egg will lose weight if it is growing a chick.

 

[redhen]

Red,
During incubation the egg will lose weight if it is growing a chick.

LOL! I knew that , i was just testing you.... yeeeeeah, thats it,.. LMBO

Okay so scratch the weight thingie,.... just stick with the good flashlight,...

ETA: No wonder i cant ever hatch anything, I'm clueless..!!!

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:




PS
You can weigh the eggs, if ya want to. Fertile eggs should lose weight. Around 11% weight loss by hatch time.

 

[Christie Rhae]

It is sooo frustrating trying to see if anything is growing inside marans eggs. Soon you will be able to get an idea. If the egg glows reddish..nothin. If there is a big dark mass... good chance there is a baby. I have given up trying to really see anything else but a dark blob.

 

[bwalden]

It is sooo frustrating trying to see if anything is growing inside marans eggs. Soon you will be able to get an idea. If the egg glows reddish..nothin. If there is a big dark mass... good chance there is a baby. I have given up trying to really see anything else but a dark blob.

Well thanks for your insite on this. I'll try them again maybe around day 14 and see if there seems to be any changes. I've always looked forward to candeling an egg and seeing the embryo developing. It is frustrating but I will just have to hope for the best. Trying to locate a breeder within a reasonable driving distance of me so that if I dont have a good hatch I may drive and pick some up myself so I know how they have been handeled.

 

[bwalden]

none of my shipped eggs hatched. only one developed. I think perhaps i had incubator issues....