Two eggs left

[AnnieSantiago]

Ok.. mom is off the nest with 8 chicks.
She has left 2 eggs in the nest.
Do I assume these will not hatch?
Should I leave them? Take them?
Will she get back on with the chicks?
Help?

 

[Ravynscroft]

Pick them up and candle them... if they have any movement and you have an incubator, you can put them in it to see if they'll hatch... don't leave them as she is done, plus she needs to take care of the chicks and if she keeps sitting on them then she won't... if they hatch, maybe you can get her to take them as soon as they're dry...

 

[AnnieSantiago]

I do not know how to candle eggs?

 

[AnnieSantiago]

I'll do a search and see if I can figure it out.
I don't want to burn anybody

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I'll do a search and see if I can figure it out.
I don't want to burn anybody

"Candling" is simply the term for shining a light into/through the shell of the egg to view what is inside -- you don't use an actual candle for the process as today's flashlights are much brighter and easier to direct (as well as not a burn hazard).

 

[Ravynscroft]

I do not know how to candle eggs?

Get a very bright flashlight and go into a dark room... shine light into the fat end of the egg, and you should be able to see either a dark mass or if light goes all the way through, it's no good... btw, sniff the eggs first, if they smell rotten carefully put them in a plastic baggie and throw away as those could explode...

 

[AnnieSantiago]

I couldn't really see anything.
I have a neighbor who I got the eggs from.
She's going to look at them soon and if they're good, put them in an incubator.
I'm keeping them warm.