Maine

[hoppy]

your issue might be your light. I have found several times when I have problems candling, it's because my light is not bright enough (and a dark room also helps alot). the main thing you are looking for is veining to the top of the air cell. if it doesn't go up there and the eggs are at least 1/2 way done incubating, they are probably not going to hatch.

I need a real hands on lesson in candling. Anyone up for this? Come to the house, show me what's what... maybe get some canned goods or eggs to go home with and a lot of gratitude? IDK why I suck at this. I looked at a few eggs today and all I saw was nothing or a dark mass at one end. Or nothing because the shells were too dark. A drawback to Marans and Ams.

Kinsey... I might need your services after all. So many eggs!

 

[hoppy]

you can definitely tell this is a boy, look how red that comb is! (haha, yes, I saw to lurking- your chicken tree gave you away.)

They are doing great.. Thanks Hoppy

He is too funny...


We candled the eggs on day 10,, 24 out of the 26 are looking goodll We cant wait.. Thanks again..

 

[buckabucka]

This seems to be a busy time for predators! I never saw our hawk, just the pile of feathers, but I'm pretty sure that's what it was. It seems like a ground predator would have succeeded. Glad your hens are okay, Mainechick, and glad BF saw the fox before it grabbed someone, SCG.

Ashandvine, I had a hard time candling my dark eggs too. It helps a lot if you have a room that is absolutely dark, and you need to be patient. I found that if I gave my eyes time to adjust, eventually I could see when there was movement in there. I spin the egg around and try shining the light from the top, the side, and the bottom, pausing and watching. Of course, the type of flashlight you have makes a difference too. Mine was a tiny, but powerful LED light.
Half the time, I wasn't sure what I was looking at, but I don't toss anything until lockdown (unless it smells).

My big excitement here was the first lavender Ameraucana egg this spring! I hope the others start up too. I wanted to set the next eggs on Saturday, and would love to have a few lavenders in there.

Welcome to justinelee! I go to Canaan fairly often, as I have good friends there.

 

[super coop]

Too funny!!! I was suprised to see the message..

 

[blueseal]

Hey guys! Wnted to introduce myself. Im in canaan maine and I am new to the chicken world we just got our flock of buff orpington chickens (6) they are straight run so if anyone is interested in a buff orpington rooster let me know we might (most likely will) have one (im thinking three).

welcome

 

[chickinpecker]

Anyone have any thoughts on what type of rooster this guy is? I have a few thoughts but was looking for a second or third or fourth opinion...thanks all!

 

[Gallina Sarda]

Hey guys! Wnted to introduce myself. Im in canaan maine and I am new to the chicken world we just got our flock of buff orpington chickens (6) they are straight run so if anyone is interested in a  buff orpington rooster let me know we might (most likely will) have one (im thinking three).

Welcome to BYC! Lots of good people here with plenty of sound advice - especially good for us newbies!

 

[hoppy]

I'm just guessing here, a BIG rooster.

sorry couldn't help myself.
no idea on breed.

Anyone have any thoughts on what type of rooster this guy is? I have a few thoughts but was looking for a second or third or fourth opinion...thanks all!

 

[lazy gardener]

A different fox was back here today, prowling around. BF luckily saw it and locked the ducks up.

Dunno why we are so plagued with predators right now.

You'd think that with the ground being mostly bare, they wouldn't be so hungry.

 

[Chambertin]

I need a real hands on lesson in candling.  Anyone up for this?  Come to the house, show me what's what... maybe get some canned goods or eggs to go home with and a lot of gratitude?  IDK why I suck at this.  I looked at a few eggs today and all I saw was nothing or a dark mass at one end.  Or nothing because the shells were too dark.  A drawback to Marans and Ams.

Kinsey... I might need your services after all.  So many eggs!

 

Wish I could go out there and help. I have some dark eggs here, although marans would probably make mine look transparent.
What I do is try to use the air sac as a light reflector and check the area near it for a mass that is very different from the other side.
Should be clearish on one and very dark on the other.

One went so far that one whole side was very dark and the other was like a pool, good sign.
What I look for is stark difference between the sides and a growing air sac. The sac will usually shrink with a bad egg.
If your lucky when its getting close you'll see some veins right at the air sac border.

Hope that helps, but I couldnt get the pictures to come out right.
I didnt think a blob would be helpful to anyone, but maybe it would have.