I am still having trouble with candling

[IggiMom]

What does a detached air cell look like?

Ok, as I am candling my eggs, some of them are very lively and although I am not great at candling, even I can figure that if it is moving around it is alive!

But why are some moving and some not?

Some seem to have veining and look like something is developing, but are not moving that I can see.

I am so fascinated with them, but I think maybe I am taking them out of the incubator too much to candle them.

I guess the ones that have just nothing in them are 'clear', and that would be bad.

But I just wonder why some move and some don't.

Maybe I can't stand the stress of this incubating.

Most of the eggs actually look pretty good. My tiny Serama eggs look the most lively for some reason. And the EE banties next.

Catherine

 

[Lach Cnoc Farm]

how many days into incubation are the eggs?

you can turn the egg on its side over the candler and the air cell will move if its detached...its not supposed to if its still attached.

everyone says eggs with detached air cells should be kept upright..i had a LOT hatch upside down and die before i knew this.

early on, when theyre still just tiny black specks, not all of them move.

you shouldnt take them out constantly to check them, unless you have some questionable ones, mark those so you dont disturb the others that you know are growing.

i check mine at 5-7 days into incubation, by then you can pretty much tell whats growing and whats not.

green eggs and dark brown ones are HARD to see into though, its annoying.

 

[giasmom]

Some may be napping. Or just not as developed yet. What day are you on? Yes the clears are probably your infertiles. Give the ones that you see are developing but not moving more time. Put a ? mark on them so next time you candle you can recheck those. Good luck with your hatch. As far as the detached air cell goes if you'll "search" you can probably find some pics.

 

[IggiMom]

The lively Serama eggs are 11 days, the lively EE eggs are 7, and the others are right in between. The in betweenies have veining but not a lot of movement. It seems odd. They are in a different incubator. The lively ones re in an LG, and the not so lively in a 1588 Genesis.

You know, everybody recommended the Genesis, BUT, it is not as easy to adjust as the LG, which I am getting along pretty well with.

Thanks for explaining about detached air cells. I couldn't figure out what it meant before.

If they have veining are they usually ok?

And I will take your advice--I'll candle again in a few days and then stop until before hatch.

It is just so interesting.

Catherine

 

[Lach Cnoc Farm]

if the veining is good and clear they are probably just fine...i saw on here someone said if the embryo/'speck' dies the veins will dissipate within hours.

ETA:

infertile eggs with have really jiggly, loose looking yolks..twist the egg from side to side on the candler, if the yolk looks like its floating from side to side and there is no veining..its most likely infertile...

i just had to throw out 15 like that, almost 2 weeks in and nothing but loose looking yolks.

the yolks in fertile eggs kind of 'attach' themselves, they dont move too much.

 

[shelleyd2008]

I've never heard that about the yolks moving. If the egg has been turned properly during storage, the yolk should move freely inside the egg.

It is also not a good idea to turn the egg every-which-way when candling. In young embryos, this can cause them to die, by becoming entangled in the bloodvein network.

The ones that aren't moving are probably just sleeping. Just like any other unborn baby, they have periods of rest, and periods of activity.

It is a good rule of thumb to candle around 7-10 days and mark any clear or possibly quit ones with a question mark. Candle again around day 14, by then, any that are still clear will not develop, and any dead ones should be obvious. Candle again when you move them to the hatcher at the end of day 18, then leave them alone. You shouldn't toss any eggs until at least day 14, just in case there are some 'late bloomers'. Eggs with dark or thick shells can be harder to see through, and you don't want to accidentally toss one that was developing. You should also candle them before you ever set them, to check for cracks and what not.

The best way to candle them is by shining the light down through the top, through the air cell. This will make the egg 'light up', and make it much easier to see the veins, which start at the top of the egg, more or less attached to the air cell.

I honestly don't toss any eggs, unless they are weaping (almost never happens), or I need the room. I haven't had one explode yet, just be sure to sniff the bator occassionally. You will notice the smell days before the egg gets that bad.

 

[MoodyChicken]

A detached air cell moves around, or it's shaped differently, though the latter usually hatch with no complications. They're pretty obvious.

They gotta rest. Sometimes they're moving but you just can't see them move cause they're not right up against the shell.

It is also not a good idea to turn the egg every-which-way when candling. In young embryos, this can cause them to die, by becoming entangled in the bloodvein network.

REALLY? I did not know that! Thanks so much for sharing! I'll be much gentler from now on. Wow, that's so obvious but I just didn't think of that...​

 

[Lach Cnoc Farm]

the ones i was referring to about the twisting was the undeveloped ones. they're pretty well obvious at 2 weeks(that's when i tossed mine) and a lot of times even at 1 week you can tell.

i don't shake the growing eggs, lol. or even the ones that look like they might grow, just the clear-yolked ones...

i just had 2 bantam eggs that for almost a week just had a darker orange spot in the middle of the yolk(since day 2), i checked tonight and they're FINALLY developing. later bloomers i guess

ETA: i dropped a couple the other day when i was turning them, i set em off to the side so i can check on em later, i'm hoping it didn't hurt em...but we'll see!

 

[killer]

sometimes you have to look at them for 30 seconds before you see them move. but if you have veins in there they are ok.

 

[IggiMom]

Thank you all so much for the information. Oh, I hope I did not hurt them by moving too much when candling.

I'll check them in a few days and then make myself stop.

I am getting some more in. I do have a broody hen now, I am going to put some under her.

You are right about the smell. I had a turkey egg that was BAD and before I could smell it, one of my little dogs was in her indicating that something was wrong and when I took it out I could tell which one it was right away. I am glad it was out before it exploded or something.

I really do appreciate it so very much when you who are more knowledgeable share your knowledge. Thank you again.

Catherine