Noob question

[Fredster]

Hi, all.

I stuck 30 eggs in a new Hovabator 1588 last Thursday, my first attempt at doing this. Today, the humidity was getting a little low, and while I had the top off to add more water, I candled several of the eggs just for grins.

Where the eggs had been clear (I candled them when I was putting them in, to see what they looked like) before, most have now formed a dark ring around the center.

This is good, right? It means they're growing? Or are they starting to spoil inside?

I see people referring to eggs as just turning into "blood rings" and wasn't sure if mine are doing well or poorly. I know there's not much to see at 5 days in, but since I know exactly squat about hatching eggs other than the basics of temp and humidity, I thought I'd ask the experts to make sure.

Dark rings are a good sign this early, yes?

 

[Katy]

Is there just the dark ring? If there's just a dark ring and no veins and a small dark spot (the embryo) that means the embryos have died. I wouldn't throw them out tho since this is your first time doing this. I'd leave them in and candle again in a few days.

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

I have pictures of a good egg and a blood ring in this blog post http://frontporchindiana.blogspot.com/2008/04/embryology-101.html

Hope this helps.

 

[Fredster]

Hmm. They don't really look like either picture. I'm starting to wonder if I'm just looking at yolk.

 

[Fredster]

Alright, I just went back and candled 5 eggs. One was clear, and of the other four, I'm pretty sure the dark thick ring is just the yolk.

BUT

Those four all had a dark floating spot at the top, and a definite spidering of veins, WOOT!

I feel like a dad now, and I've still got 15 or 16 days to go.

 

[ebonykawai]

You should see a lot more at around 10 days. By then, it's much easier to tell a clear from a baby.

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

Congratulations, Dad!

 

[Fredster]

Here's a picture I snapped last night when I was looking the second time. I didn't have time to upload it and post it then. I sent it to family members, so I labeled it for them. I know you guys all know the parts.

 

[tat2edlady]

love the pic and who cares about the dirty nails LOL to funny

Mindy