newbie question on candling... please advise?

[chickenmeadow]

technodoll: I started my incubator on Dec. 3rd; so we're running "neck to neck" to the 21st day finish line. I will keep watching this thread, with my fingers crossed for you. I've learned something everytime & still have the same excitement of anticipation of the hatch, what joy!

 

[technodoll]

Yey! how many are in the bator and what breeds?

 

[chickenmeadow]

technodoll: I put 10 in, they are hopefully all Bantam Blue Salmon Faverolles (maybe a silkie cross &/or a dominique cross or two there). Looks like 7 are good but waiting for day 10 to be more sure. Have had a heck of a time getting live hatches this year in the incubator, so tried one last time this year using the "dry incubation" method. My flock is young so haven't had a chance to see any "broody stars" yet just "love em & leave em" egg layers so far. Looking forward to using a broody in the Spring, I hear there's nothing like a Silkie for that. These little eggs went 4 days in the USPS truck during freezing weather from out of state & at the risk of being xrayed at the post office, so anything I get will be a happy surprise to me.

I bet it's nice & chilly there in Canada. A customer came into our store (from Canada) & mentioned growing Scarlet Runners (beans) in her garden for the green beans, beans & the beautiful red flowers that the hummingbirds love. Will try them next year, as they do good on "northern exposure" type property with lots of shade. Happy egg hatching to you!

 

[technodoll]

I wish you the very best of luck!

What a lovely christmas surprise it would be, eh?

I still have no idea if we're getting any chicks but for the sake of my hard-working silkie (been sitting on eggs for 2.5 weeks straight now, first batch was a dud...) I certainly hope it was worth her while!

 

[RonnieAtkeson]

By day 7 you should see little red veins running from the air cell down. This can be dificult on some brown eggs and near impossible (i assume) on marans and welsummers. At day 7 I candle using a regular small 2 aa maglite, works great. My daughter has a little light with like 8 leds in it and its amazing for candling. If an egg is clear at day 7 its trash. If your unsure wait till day 10 as any veining will be much easier to see, its a big difrence in those 3 days (from day 7 to 10).

 

[chickenmeadow]

technodoll: you must have seen the pictures by now at https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261876&p=1

 

[technodoll]

Yes, and it's awesome information and the photos are GREAT!

However what I see doesn't match any of the images, that's why I am stumped.

I need a stronger light and a darker room I guess

 

[Ban seabhag]

Folks, I am new here. Where and what is a "sticky" and how do I find it?

 

[chickenmeadow]

Ban seabhag: Since you're most likely not asking about "sticky" chicks trying to hatch out, then you'll find 3 stickys by going to "Index" (top blue line on screen, first one on the left), then choose the topic "Incubating & Hatching Eggs." You'll see that the top 3 on the list say sticky; it's like putting a post it note on a page to find the important info that you want to read again, but I'm not sure who on BYC is authorized to create the sticky. Hope this covers what you're asking a little bit.

 

[technodoll]

Just an update to say I definitely have FOUR viable eggs!

I saw the veining and what looks like babies developing inside

Hope all goes well to welcome them into the world in 8 days!!