calling all hatching experts!!!

[mycobs=myworld]

sorry wrong forum but i have 4 indian runners in incubator, and they all seemed to be doing fine, we dont no what the mum looks like so dont no if its the colouring but one of the eggs seems to be darker than the other& has a funny smell keep or chuck, dont want other eggs getting the bad bactiria if its gone funny first time hatching any advice apreciated

 

[*hic*]

Can you try candling them? If one egg is smelling funny then it's probably no good but google "Candling" and you'll come up with some helpful diagrams of what you should (might!) be able to see at each stage.

 

[Nudibranch]

Candling is the way forward - simplest thing to do is to shine a small torch through the egg and you should be able to see red veins, and the developing chick although what you'll see of the chick depends how developed it is, obviously! If you can't see pink/red veins, and an embryo, then it's not fertile and rotting.

If the egg is darker and smells bad, I would be tempted to remove it - better 3 good eggs than 4 bad.

Update us and let us know what you find!

 

[Laura Pain]

As above, i'd candle the egg. It's really simple to do. I would becareful with a smelly egg - they can sometimes explode (i have had that happen with broody chickens sitting on rotten eggs - it stinks!) They generally hatch in around 25 days, some larger breeds may take longer. Try this link, it seems pretty good - http://www.duckhealth.com/hatcduck.html
Good luck