Hi folks,

We're trying out a new incubator, wanting to grow some chickens for the first time. I'm wondering how long after you start the eggs incubating should I wait to candle them to see if they are good or not.

Thanks for the help,

-- chuck in md (woah@mission4me.com), December 23, 2001

Answers

Hi Chuck, You should be able to tell if the eggs are fertile or not in 7 days. If they are fertile you will see a dark spot with veins. To me it looks like a spider in the middle of a web.

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), December 23, 2001.

Hi Chuck, I agree that 7-10 days is a good time to look. I also look for a little air sack (light/clear spot of egg). Eggs with no air sack are usually bad, but if your eggs are fresh you can give your eggs a good while in the incubator before tossing the bad ones. I like to make sure, by writing in pencil on the egg if there is development or not, or air sack area. Usually just put a circle on the air sack area. Later in incubation, if the air sack moves as you turn the egg, it is probably bad. You get the hang of what to look for after your first hatching if you look at the eggs every week.

-- notnow (notnow@blabla.com), December 23, 2001.

I've been able to tell if eggs are fertile by the 4th day of incubation. These are very white eggs, though. Dark brown eggs may take a bit longer than 7 days to confirm fertilization.

-- Buk Buk (bukabuk@hotmail.com), December 23, 2001.