Page 1 of 3
Day 5 candling - what to expect?
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 5:54 pm
by Jaye
So, candled the batch of eggs in the incubator last night at Day 5. Why am I incubating? Because they are bearded Belgian d'Uccles, and Wallace may like them once they grow up, assuming that they are pullets.
Anyway, four of the six were definitely showing veins but two are still in question, because I don't know what I'm looking at, really. I haven't ever candled before Day 7, and I'm not all that experienced with candling anyway. Plus, I think it's time for replacement batteries in my flashlight.
Anyhow, when I candle those two "iffy" eggs again tonight, I would like to add pics to this thread, so that a more experienced person can help me to determine whether or not these eggs are still viable. To me, at least one of them looks like an early quitter, but what do I know?
To be continued after dark.

Re: Day 5 candling - what to expect?
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 6:13 pm
by kenya
At this point they should look like little red spiders, if you see a blood ring they have died. If you can see the others clearly then they are likely infertile. But it doesn't hurt to wait a little and check them against the other eggs.
Re: Day 5 candling - what to expect?
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 6:19 pm
by Jaye
thanks, @kenya . Four of them do obviously look like red spiders, and one of the other two not so much, but maybe. The last one looks like something but nothing, if you get what I mean ... no obvious veins, no dark spot, just looks like a tequila sunset or Singapore sling cocktail (popular drinks in the 60s/70s).
Re: Day 5 candling - what to expect?
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 7:32 pm
by Killerbunny
As long as they don't look like rotting I'd go another 2 days to make sure. Also give a big sniff when you go near the incy! I'm almost jealous of you hatching those pretty things.
Re: Day 5 candling - what to expect?
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 8:29 pm
by Jaye
Nope, they don't look or smell like rotting so far. Will update after tonight's candling.

Re: Day 5 candling - what to expect?
Posted: Wed Jun 10, 2020 9:46 pm
by Jaye
so these are eggs #1 and #5, respectively ...
and here is egg #6, in comparison (eggs #2, #3, #4 all look similar)
Re: Day 5 candling - what to expect?
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 7:38 am
by Happy
I think they are just not fertilized. The undefined blob that you see is just the yolk. That's my guess but I would definitely leave them a few more days to be sure!
Re: Day 5 candling - what to expect?
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 8:15 am
by Jaye
Thanks, @Happy . I think you may be right. I will leave them until Sunday (day 10) and check them again then.
Re: Day 5 candling - what to expect?
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 8:24 am
by Kbr42
I usually leave them in until day 10 for sure. Some develop later and there may be coller spots in the incubator. With that said, they don't look like they developed at all. I never really like saying they aren't fertile cause, you won't know until you crack them open and look. Sometimes, they just don't develop. Good luck on your hatch! Very exciting for you and Wallace.
Re: Day 5 candling - what to expect?
Posted: Thu Jun 11, 2020 9:48 am
by Jaye
Thanks, @Kbr42 . I do rotate the eggs to different spots in the incubator almost daily, in hopes of balancing out the temperature differences in the incubator a bit.