Candling eggs. Day 3-7

Sloane Chickens

In the Brooder
Feb 13, 2025
10
7
13
Hi all.
I’m new to incubating eggs (in an incubator). When I hatched eggs 6 years ago I used my broody hen. So this is new!

Wondering what I should be looking for on day 3 to 7?
How do I know if they are infertile or not? We bought the eggs and she estimated a 65% fertility rate (we got 24 eggs). So now I’m just unsure how to check them.

I’ve scrolled the forum but not much I can find.
Should I leave the eggs another day or two before looking? Or should on day 3, there be some idea as to what’s happening?

Thank you !
 
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You should be good to do it today! They will be hatching eggs if they look like these pictures.
 
Hi all.
I’m new to incubating eggs (in an incubator). When I hatched eggs 6 years ago I used my broody hen. So this is new!

Wondering what I should be looking for on day 3 to 7?
How do I know if they are infertile or not? We bought the eggs and she estimated a 65% fertility rate (we got 24 eggs). So now I’m just unsure how to check them.

I’ve scrolled the forum but not much I can find.
Should I leave the eggs another day or two before looking? Or should on day 3, there be some idea as to what’s happening?

Thank you !
I'd take a quick look at the start so you'll know if there's been progress. I found this blog to be very helpful as it also describes what "bad" eggs look like so you know what to watch for going forward.
 
If you have lighter colored eggs it will be easier to see the development and you could probably see development before a week
 
Can anyone tell me if this looks ok?
We are on day 6..
I’ll post the photo from another egg in a separate comment. This is 1 egg.
 

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This is a different egg.
That definitely has a little chickie inside! The black spot is their eye 🐣

The other egg in question to me looks like it does have some veining which is a good sign, but it’s a little hard to tell. Are you able to go to a darker space to candle? That usually helps to see inside the egg better!

Sometimes also putting a piece of cardboard over the built-in candlers helps focus the light better. My incubator has a built in candler too and I use a little piece of cardboard with a small hole poked in it to help focus the light through the egg, because the light shines up through the white plastic top and makes it a little harder to see inside.
 
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That definitely has a little chickie inside! The black spot is their eye 🐣
Yes I thought so! Thank you 🙏
If you have lighter colored eggs it will be easier to see the development and you could probably see development before a week
I have 2 blue eggs, and lord. I cannot see a thing ahha. Most of my light ones tho, super easy to check thankfully.
 
That definitely has a little chickie inside! The black spot is their eye 🐣

The other egg in question to me looks like it does have some veining which is a good sign, but it’s a little hard to tell. Are you able to go to a darker space to candle? That usually helps to see inside the egg better!

Sometimes also putting a piece of cardboard over the built-in candlers helps focus the light better. My incubator has a built in candler too and I use a little piece of cardboard with a small hole poked in it to help focus the light through the egg, because the light shines up through the white plastic top and makes it a little harder to see inside.
It’s definitely got veining but seems to be a lot darker inside that the other egg. I can candle again shortly and I’ll pop some cardboard over to help!
 

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