What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[Isabel]

Tried to candle day 8 eggs today but don't think I have the method quite right. Is it okay to view the eggs on their sides or does it have to be done with the eggs upright, blunt end against the torch? Was using the torch on mobile. Anyway, had one which looked clear and porous so am guessing no good, another one, at least, with a free floating yolk - again, I think this is infertile. 3 where I think I saw something - one I could see wriggle! Some had dark blobs. The Marans were really difficult to see - one looked empty, two with dark areas and the rest I couldn't see past the shell.

 

I'll try again in 2/3 days but would welcome tips on the best way to go about it!

 

Thanks

 

Isabel

[Kirstie]

Yeah you did it!

My first candling I couldn't see any wiggling just a big black blob which I just had to assume was a chick, I didn't even see viens like all websites said I would.

 

I candle from blunt end, with my light from my mobile (last year I used a torch but struggled to get it right) which worked brilliantly, and I also do it on the side slightly if I can't see properly.

I'd wait a few more days - probably day 18 before candling again as then there will be a big blob chick then. And the ones you aren't sure about just keep them going unless they are leaking.

 

When you do it next time you will have more idea of what you are doing - the first time is more - hurry as you don't want the eggs to get cold, then question what you are seeing!

 

Good luck, sounds like you have some chicks incubating

 

Kirstie

[Isabel]

Thanks Kirstie - I chucked Nigella out and took the whole nesting box inside and did it under the stairs which was the only dark place I could find. Hopefully we have a few growing but I'll try again mid-week. If any are obviously empty then I'd rather take them away so as she can get the remaining eggs right under her to keep warm!

 

Isabel

[kinsk]

We candled ours yesterday too. It did look like there was something going on in all of them, so now I am convinced I have got it wrong as a full house would be far too much to hope for for a first timer!

[Isabel]

How many days along were they Kinsk?

 

I just candled again - at Day 10. Okay, so of the 6 Gold Laced Orp/Wyandotte eggs, 4 looked good, 2 I'm sure are empty. I'll check again in three days and then chuck the empties (now marked) out if there's no change. Of the 6 Maran eggs, 1 I couldn't see as the shell is too dark, 1 question mark and 4 looked good!

 

Now, when I say 'looked good', I mean there was a black/dark mass and then a clear area at the end which I presume is the air sac? Does this sound right for Day 10?

 

Okay, assuming we're going to get some chicks I'd better order feeder and chick crumb

 

Isabel

[craftyhunnypie]

I use a cheap little pocket torch & a piece of cardboard with a hole in in just a bit smaller than a 10p piece. Torch underneaeth the cardboard, shining through the hole then the egg held on top, blunt end down. Works a treat! You can usually see a little dark blob ' the peep' that moves around. It's lovely to see.

Emma.x

[Isabel]

Okay, maybe I ought to try again tomorrow! I tried with mobile torch under a loo roll tube but one of the eggs slipped through the tube so I gave that up as a bad job and just held light at blunt end of egg. Didn't help that I was blooming freezing and DH was itching to get back to work .

 

Will rig something better up tomorrow. Thanks Emma.