Should my 3-5 day old button quail embryo be rocking back and forth whenever I handle or candle the egg?

[CoolChickenPerson]

Recently everytime I candle my button quail egg the small developing embryo rocks back and forth or in some cases does a aggressive jerk within the egg. Is it just me and my unsteady hand holding the egg or is the embryo starting to voluntarily move on its own?

 

[sourland]

It has reached the point where the heartbeat causes movement. There is really no need for frequent candling, and doing so can cause problems.

 

[GodLovesU]

How often are you candling it?

 

[CoolChickenPerson]

About once a day.

 

[GodLovesU]

That’s kind of a lot.

 

[CoolChickenPerson]

Oh. I am new to rasing birds so theres lots of stuff I still need to learn about it but thank you for telling me I will candle the eggs less now!

 

[GodLovesU]

Oh. I am new to rasing birds so theres lots of stuff I still need to learn about it but thank you for telling me I will candle the eggs less now!

No problem!

 

[Poultrybonkers]

I candle day 7 then three days before lockdown to much handling can clog the eggs pours