colour change in eggs

[Ruth]

My margies laid their first batch of eggs about a week ago so i decided to keep a couple. I put them in vermiculite on a heat mat at about 27degrees and i've just checked and they looked kind of mottled (darker patches). I was just wondering if this normal (although i'm kinda guessing it's not) and also whether this means they are dead/ barron etc. I'm sure i read that this was a result of them being kept too hot but can't find the thread.

Ruth

[sezzy5889]

It is usually a sign of rotting, if you dare to then you can crack one open, at a few weeks old there should be an undeveloped baby inside, also if they are rotting then the yolk inside will have discoloured in places too,
I'm not sure what causes it but i have a theory that it seems to happen when the eggs are kept in soil/coir/vermiculite at a high temperature, but i'm not exactly sure.

[Ruth]

Thanks, kinda thought it wasn't a good sign but wasn't sure

I don't know if i dare crack one yet, they're only about a week old. Would i be able to see anything at this stage anyway (or would they smell if they were rotten the same as chicken eggs)?

[sezzy5889]

maybe if you move them into something else like moss, catch them at an early stage then maybe you might save them

[Ruth]

Cheers Sarah, I've moved them onto moss now, hope your right about svaing them but suppose only time will tell