please tell me what I'm looking for

[newchickowner]

I did a search and didn't find an answer, I just found a nest that couldn't be more than 2 weeks old, however not knowing how long eggs can sit on the nest before they become unedible, I looked at them with a flashlight and 4 of the 7 eggs I found have a dark spot in them that's about the size of a quarter, the rest have the same consistancy of light thoughout the entire egg. I don't know what I'm looking for anyway, but is the dark spot the fetus??? Have I hurt the fetus by rolling the eggs some to make sure I wasn't seeing things??? What do I do now??? and are the other eggs edible since there are no dark spots in them???

Sorry for all the questions, I'm still learning.

 

[marie_martin]

I am still pretty new too but if you saw a dark circle in the egg it is probably the yolk.At two weeks the dark area would be larger. If the babies are developing, the narrow end of the eggs should be darker and there should be an air cell at the larger end. Do a search for candling on this site and there are lots of helpful pictures and so forth. You have not hurt the eggs by turning them even if they are developing. I am not sure that I would eat them if they have been out there in the heat for two weeks though. But that is just me. Maybe someone with more advice will be along soon. But do a search for candling that will at least get you started.

Marie