Safe to candle?

[RosemaryDuck]

So a lot of you probably know from my recent posts, a vacation pet sitter mistake has left me with a very broody Muscovy sitting on a large nest of eggs.

Shes been sitting since roughly a few days after I left (just guessing since I have no way of really knowing the exact time). I want to candle the eggs badly so I know a timeframe for them, but Hershey is a first time mom. I'm afraid I'll spook her off the nest if I check.

When would be a good time to look? I tried to check earlier today but she hurried back over from eating all puffed up and upset, so I left her alone.

I've always incubated with a machine or broody chickens (who mostly just sat still and complained loudly) so forgive the silly questions!

 

[MGG]

So a lot of you probably know from my recent posts, a vacation pet sitter mistake has left me with a very broody Muscovy sitting on a large nest of eggs.

Shes been sitting since roughly a few days after I left (just guessing since I have no way of really knowing the exact time). I want to candle the eggs badly so I know a timeframe for them, but Hershey is a first time mom. I'm afraid I'll spook her off the nest if I check.

When would be a good time to look? I tried to check earlier today but she hurried back over from eating all puffed up and upset, so I left her alone.

I've always incubated with a machine or broody chickens (who mostly just sat still and complained loudly) so forgive the silly questions!

I'd bait her away if possible, but since she came back before from eating she probably will again.
I would probably just wait, to be honest. Sometimes, depending on the mother, you just can't candle the eggs. They can be very uncooperative, unfortunately.