I set eggs 2/27/10 ** DUE 3/20th-3/21st** WE"RE HATCHING!!!!

[carriehelene]

 

[zephyrcreek]

I candled eggs today. Most of mine are fairly dark, but we could see veins on most of them. I know it was a little earlier, but I just had to try.

The funny thing was that on the ones that we could not see veins you could see the darker "Spot" that was actually the developing embryo.

At what point should I candle again to remove "bad" eggs without taking a chance of killing a baby in a dark shell?

 

[carriehelene]

By day 12-15, you should be able to see a difference in the shadows in the eggs, telling the growing from the not-growing. Actually, you can tell much earlier than that if you are experienced at candling, but for the inexperienced, I'd say days 12-15. By then, there is a noticable difference in devolpment, even on darker eggs. Clear eggs you can usually tell by day 10 though. If you can't see clearly, just leave them in a while longer, unless they start to smell wrong. Trust me, you'll know if one is gone bad.


edited to add:

congrats on your eggs!

 

[zephyrcreek]

Quote:
Thanks, this is my first incubation. I was surprised that I could tell on my eggs so soon as they are shades of brown. The medium colored eggs (Dels) were easier to see than the light eggs from my Java. Hmmm. I just want to avoid the "stinky" egg if at all possible. DH would not be happy with that, though the boys might get a kick out of mom releasing a "stink" bomb in the house.

 

[babylady4]

Just an FYI; the bator must not have been unplugged for too long, everything looks good! All cooking along just fine!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I agree, Day 12-15 is good. And you will see movement also which helps when you're new to candling. By day 18 all you'll see is dark except the air sac.

I was a first timer trying to candle welsummer eggs. Boy was that tricky!

 

[zephyrcreek]

Thank god mine are not that dark.

Though I am thinking about adding a couple of my Dixie Rainbow hens to my EE pen for Olive Eggers. I'm getting 5-6 eggs that are very dark (compared to the Dels). They would fall midrange between the welsummer and my dels.

I'm just having way too much fun at this. At least the anticipation of candeling is keeping the "hatch date" impatience at bay. I think I'll probably be looney by then.

cough cough cough

I just may be sick on 19th and 20th.

 

[ilovebuffs]

Quote:
Yay! fordmommy. Everything is good! Babylady4 you are such a good friend to incubate eggs for her

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I think you are starting to not feel well. You just don't have any energy.

So stay home on those days with your pillow and blanket next to the bator. Afterall, baby chicks will still NEED care, right?

I just hope your boss isn't a member here.

 

[babylady4]

Quote:
Yay! fordmommy. Everything is good! Babylady4 you are such a good friend to incubate eggs for her

Nope, just nuts!

It is so educational for the kids and I just love doing it even though this is attempt #2 for me. I can't wait to do this for myself so I have my OWN chickens!!!