more ?'s eggs she's laying on-some starting to smell,please help

[shannonb]

Okay, it's been 3 weeks and I've candled about 3 times now....there are some I can see through - or not see anything in the egg I mean. Are these the ones that are starting to smell? It's def. the eggs starting to smell.....I saw her while I was home one day get off the nest, go outside eat, drink, and then her little chicken butt exploded - lol. Wow, they really do hold their poo when they are sitting don't they? I didn't know so much poop could come out of one hen! So I know she's pooping outside and besides, it doesn't smell like poop.

My question: I'm scared to throw any of the eggs out, because what if I'm wrong (since I'm new at candling) and I accidentally throw out one that's got a chick in it????????????????????

Thanks : )

 

[19hhbelgian]

Well, I'm not going to be much help, but I think at this point in time, if there is nothing visible in the egg and it is just "clear", it's not fertile. The one's with black in them might be developing, but does the black move around a lot, or can you see anything moving like a chick? At 3 weeks, the egg should be developed pretty well, and the chick might not have enough room to move around much at all. If the egg is almost all solid black, it's a good bet that's a chick inside the egg! As far as the smell... Just hope nothing bursts

before someone more knowledgeable answers your question! Good luck!

 

[shannonb]

Oooh, didn't think about anything bursting....wouldn't that be nasty. : (

I'm going to candle again tonight, but didn't want to cull any until I got some advice on here.

Thanks - and you did help!

 

[Marlinchaser]

If they are clear, toss them, at 3 weeks they should be hatching, I would wait and see what hatches, couple days after they hatch, toss the rest. Just be sure where you toss them is downwind.

 

[shuizar209]

Quote:
LOLOLOLOLOL
I would toss any that are clear...

 

[Holly O]

Here is a link to a chick development in an egg. It may help some. I hope.
http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h/Embryology/embryophotos.shtml