The 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-a-long

[Gardeningmama]

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!!

Do you watch duck dynasty?

Absolutely, it's DH & my pastor's favorite show!!

Questions, I hope someone can help. I candled yesterday which was Day 5. I was able to see veining in some eggs. Others seemed 'clear' but the shell was mottled looking when candling so it was difficult to see if anything was in there. Does the mottled shell prevent seeing clearly or is the fact that it looks clear mean it's a goner? Second question: Within this same egg the air cell is not readily available and but about an inch below where the air cell should be there is a dark 1/2 inch rim that does around the egg. What do you think about that type of egg. Third question: Can you always see the dark eye? The reason I ask is that at this 5 day candling the eye was obvious in some eggs but non existent in others. So this question is, can the chick be positioned so the eye is not visible at all?

As far as the dark eye, I've always been able to see it at day 5 or 6, but this is the first time I've ever used a turner. I know positioning of the embryo is different this time, for sure. In a few I can see the embryo on the side, but most I just have veining, but can't find the embryo. I think the embryo is floating just under the air cell, that's my best guess.
I also have some mottled shells that I really couldn't see into well last night, but definitely keep them in there, I think the stronger the veining gets the more visible any veins will be.

 

[rarebear]

W

Thanks for all this. I also thought I saw a few blood lines but they were just below some veining so maybe they are ok. If the eggs aren't pretty much dark at 14 days does that mean they are goners? I was going to ask that as well.

 

[rarebear]

If at Day 14...if the eggs aren't mostly dark inside does this mean they should be discarded?

 

[rarebear]

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL!!

Absolutely, it's DH & my pastor's favorite show!!

As far as the dark eye, I've always been able to see it at day 5 or 6, but this is the first time I've ever used a turner. I know positioning of the embryo is different this time, for sure. In a few I can see the embryo on the side, but most I just have veining, but can't find the embryo. I think the embryo is floating just under the air cell, that's my best guess.
I also have some mottled shells that I really couldn't see into well last night, but definitely keep them in there, I think the stronger the veining gets the more visible any veins will be.

thanks!

 

[Gardeningmama]

Thanks for all this. I also thought I saw a few blood lines but they were just below some veining so maybe they are ok. If the eggs aren't pretty much dark at 14 days does that mean they are goners? I was going to ask that as well.

I'd bet $$ we'll know for sure in the next 4 days or so. When it's evident, IT'S EVIDENT!

 

[delisha]

It is way to early to think about tossing eggs if you set for Easter hatch. Some flashlights are not strong enough and some egg have very tiny tiny veins at day 7. Day 10 is a better window for fertility.

I posted my pictures of my Silkies I hatched, and now I am posting them with Ameracauna and BLRW

 

[Happy Chooks]

I put 12 eggs in the incubator on monday (3/11). Can I still join? I'm not sure how many will make it, because it's my first hatch, and I feel like I've made lots of mistakes already.

. I guess it 's a learning experience..... I have a candling question. When I candle my eggs I don't see any kind of air cell, am I missing something? I do see a dark area, that "floats" around when I turn the egg. I'm on day 3, good, or bad?

Yes, Monday was the last day to set eggs.

Questions, I hope someone can help. I candled yesterday which was Day 5. I was able to see veining in some eggs. Others seemed 'clear' but the shell was mottled looking when candling so it was difficult to see if anything was in there. Does the mottled shell prevent seeing clearly or is the fact that it looks clear mean it's a goner? Second question: Within this same egg the air cell is not readily available and but about an inch below where the air cell should be there is a dark 1/2 inch rim that does around the egg. What do you think about that type of egg. Third question: Can you always see the dark eye? The reason I ask is that at this 5 day candling the eye was obvious in some eggs but non existent in others. So this question is, can the chick be positioned so the eye is not visible at all?

The mottling is a porous shell, and yes, they are more difficult to see into. 2nd: Sounds like veining development. 3rd: No, I have not always seen the eye.

Thanks for all this. I also thought I saw a few blood lines but they were just below some veining so maybe they are ok. If the eggs aren't pretty much dark at 14 days does that mean they are goners? I was going to ask that as well.

By Day 14 you should have light through the air sac and a bit of light showing through at the tip of the egg. I usually don't check until Day 18 and by then they are all dark, except the air sac. Then I discard any that aren't viable for hatching and lock down the rest that are.

It is way to early to think about tossing eggs if you set for Easter hatch.

I agree.

 

[loves2hatch]

If at Day 14...if the eggs aren't mostly dark inside does this mean they should be discarded?

I'd bet $$ we'll know for sure in the next 4 days or so. When it's evident, IT'S EVIDENT!

It is way to early to think about tossing eggs if you set for Easter hatch. Some flashlights are not strong enough and some egg have very tiny tiny veins at day 7. Day 10 is a better window for fertility.

I posted my pictures of my Silkies I hatched, and now I am posting them with Ameracauna and BLRW


cute chicks!

x2 I don't think you have to toss any eggs at all during the whole process unless they are leaking or really smelly. There's a different smell from if your eggs have poo on them after they warm up, then a rotten smelly egg. I'm pretty sure you could smell the difference, that is if you can smell.(sopme people like my DH have lost this ability.
From my understanding, people toss eggs to make more room, for when they do staggered hatches and such. The candleing, is really for our enjoyment to see veining and embryo's but mostly to check the air cell to see if you need to up the humidity or lower it. But then again, I've never had an egg explode and I left them in all the way until hatch is done. I think if they aren't leaking or smelly you can leave them in. anyone can correct me if I'm wrong here.

 

[acemario]

All my eggs are looking good except for my one d'uccle egg I put in there. It was her first egg, so that doesn't surprise me too much, I'm ok with it.
I've had the first 2 serama chicks from my birds hatch out in the last few days. The older one likes to sleep on his back or side with his legs straight out. It scares me, I think it's dead everytime I look in there. I had a poult and another serama hatch today, so I'm hoping now that he has company he'll knock off the playing possum.

Haha! What a little stud. It's a boy for sure!

I went against the 10 day candling rule and I candled 2 eggs one I say the little guy doing the happy dance really well and the other I saw good vein net work, will wait and candle the rest at day 10, this was really good for day 5, I was pleasantly surprised.

You have embryos dancing already! Mine are just little red blobs with lots of veining! Are mine behind schedule? I set last Saturday...

Do you watch duck dynasty?

That's right, Jack!

If at Day 14...if the eggs aren't mostly dark inside does this mean they should be discarded?

Great question. This is my first time, but it seems that by day 14 the egg will start to fill in dark, so it is verrrrrry obvious... anyone else?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Great question. This is my first time, but it seems that by day 14 the egg will start to fill in dark, so it is verrrrrry obvious... anyone else?

Yes, it's very obvious. As always though, if you have any doubt, leave it in the bator.