Please don't laugh! Which end down?

[wsdareme]

Please don't laugh at me -- I just brought home 7 hatching eggs (Black Copper Marans). My incubator instructions say to place the small pointy end to the outside and slightly down.

I have two eggs that are symmetrical -- I can't tell which end is the small pointy one. The rest are normal looking eggs.

Is it going to matter if I have those two backwards/upside down? I THINK I put them in the way they came in the carton (which should have been pointy side down, but I didn't pay attention until it was too late).

I was thinking I could candle them to find the air pocket, but they are so dark I don't think it's going to be possible (I've been reading a lot of posts on BYC members' unsuccessful attempts to candle Marans eggs).

Any suggestions?

 

[Ms.FuzzyButts]

I may get bashed for saying this, but, maybe you could float it quickly in water. The air cell end should sligtly rise up in the water. I wouldn't think a quick float would be near as bad as incubating it upside down..

 

[tnchickenut]

Not laughing....

the darker end on brown eggs is usually the "big end" so the lighter end is the "small" - I have a hen that lays football eggs too. I just studied the coloring of the obvious smallend/bigend ones and learned that the color comes out that way.

Good luck!

 

[tnchickenut]

Oh yes... and if they aren't too dark shelled - candle them and see the air sack.

 

[tnchickenut]

oops... sorry. just read the whole first post.

Stick with the darker and lighter method... it works for all breeds (that I have come accrossed and hatch - which is ALOT)

 

[wsdareme]

THANK YOU! You're absolutely right -- they are lighter on one end! All is well, and we've started the 21-day countdown!

 

[tnchickenut]

Good deal... lots of luck to you... hope you get a very successful hatch!