Brooke Martin
The process of hatching chicks from eggs is a delicate one. It involves candling, which is a traditional method of shining a light through an egg to check for embryo development, and is done without disturbing the eggs. The process of candling has evolved from using an actual candle to modern methods such as flashlights, candling devices, and Ovascopes. It is important to maintain hygiene and not disturb the eggs for more than 5-10 minutes to prevent bacteria from killing the embryo. The process of hatching also involves monitoring humidity and temperature, and ensuring the eggs are not moved before they start hatching.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Candling is an age-old technique that involves shining a light through an egg to determine if the embryo is growing properly. |
| Purpose | Candling is used to monitor the progress of an egg's incubation and hatching process, helping to identify potential problems and improve breeding success rates. |
| Timing | Candling is typically done around 7 to 14 days into the incubation period. It is recommended to avoid daily candling as it can influence growth and development due to repeated interruptions. |
| Equipment | A basic flashlight or specialized equipment like an egg candler can be used. LED versions are preferred as they don't give off heat and are safer for the embryos. |
| Procedure | Wash hands thoroughly and gently hold the egg with the larger end above the light source. Rotate and tilt the egg slightly to find the best view. Look for signs of embryo development, such as blood vessels or movement. |
| Precautions | Keep eggs out of the incubator for no more than 5-10 minutes during candling to maintain optimal temperature and humidity conditions. Avoid using dirty or soiled eggs. |
| Embryo Development | By day 7-10, blood vessels may be visible. By day 18, the embryo takes up most of the egg and appears as a dark area. |
| Hatching Process | Once candling is stopped, eggs are put in a lockdown position, ready to hatch. It's important to be hands-off during this stage and avoid opening the incubator to prevent humidity loss. |
| Challenges | Dark-colored eggs, such as brown, blue, or green, are harder to see through and may require a brighter light or waiting until the embryo develops further. |
| Benefits | Candling helps identify non-viable eggs and can improve breeding success rates by providing insights into the hatching process. |
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What You'll Learn
Candling is an age-old technique to monitor embryo development
The process of candling involves illuminating the egg's contents with a bright and focused beam of light, revealing important information about the egg's viability. Candling is typically done in a dark room, with the egg held at a slight angle against the light source. The simplest method is to use a basic flashlight, but specialised equipment is also available. White or light-coloured eggshells are easier to candle than darker shells, which require a brighter light.
Candling is commonly performed at specific intervals during the incubation period. Initially, candling can occur as early as day 5 or 6, and then again at 7 to 10 days, when blood vessels become visible. By day 14, viable eggs may be harder to candle as the embryo takes up more space. Some hatchers candle their eggs a third time on or before day 18, just before the lockdown period, to monitor development and weight.
Candling plays a crucial role in hatchery efficiency and chick quality. By identifying non-viable eggs early on, hatcheries can optimise incubator space and reduce the risk of contamination. Additionally, candling helps improve the quality of hatched chicks by removing non-viable eggs and identifying potential issues, contributing to higher hatch rates and healthier chicks.
Overall, candling is a valuable technique in the process of embryo development monitoring, enabling hatcheries to make informed decisions and optimise their operations.
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Candling tools: from flashlights to high-tech Ovascopes
Candling is the act of shining a light through an egg to determine if the embryo is growing properly. While a basic flashlight can be used for candling, there are also specialized tools designed for this purpose, such as the Incu-Bright™ Ultra Bright LED Light Egg Candler. This product uses LED technology that stays cool, allowing users to safely spend as much time as needed to examine each egg. It is also battery-powered, lightweight, and durable, making it easy to use anywhere.
For those seeking a more advanced option, the Brinsea OvaScope is a popular choice. While it does not have the capacity to take photos or videos with a full-sized camera, it effectively cuts out ambient light, making it easier to examine eggs with dark shells. It also features a convenient cog mechanism that allows users to turn the eggs from the outside while they are enclosed in the chamber.
Another option is to combine the Brinsea high-intensity candler with the OvaScope, as suggested by a user on raising-happy-chickens.com. While the initial cost may be higher, the combination provides excellent results and can be well worth the investment for those regularly involved in incubating eggs.
Ultimately, the choice of candling tool depends on individual preferences and requirements. While flashlights are simple and affordable, specialized equipment like the Incu-Bright™ and Brinsea OvaScope offer enhanced features and improved candling experiences, making them attractive options for those seeking more advanced tools for examining their eggs.
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How to candle: the process and best practices
Candling is an age-old technique used to determine whether an egg is fertile and will hatch. It involves illuminating the interior of an egg to see what is inside the shell. The process is simple: shine a bright light through the egg to see if there is a visible network of blood vessels spreading from the centre of the egg outwards, indicating that the embryo is developing properly.
To candle an egg, you will need a bright light source, such as a flashlight or a specialised egg candler, and a dark room. You can also use a simple candle, as was done in the past, but be careful not to cook the egg or cause the shell to crack. Place the larger end of the egg (where the air sac is) directly against the light, holding it gently between your thumb and forefinger. Tilt the egg slightly to one side and rotate it until you get the best view.
It is best to candle eggs at least three times during incubation to monitor air cell development and to discard any non-developing eggs. The first candling should take place around seven days into incubation, and you should be able to see a dark dot, the embryo, and spider-like blood veins spreading out around the egg. By 18 days of incubation, the embryo takes up most of the egg and appears as a dark area within the egg.
It is important to note that darker-coloured eggs, such as brown, blue, or green eggs, are much harder to see through and may require a brighter light source. Additionally, always ensure your hands are clean before handling eggs, as bacteria from your hands can penetrate the egg and kill any life inside.
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The importance of humidity, temperature, and ventilation
Candling is the process of shining a light through an egg to determine if the embryo is growing properly. It is important to monitor humidity and temperature during this process, and to avoid opening the incubator, as this can cause a loss of heat and humidity, affecting the success of the hatch.
Humidity, temperature, and ventilation are critical factors in maintaining the hatcher environment. In nature, the mother hen regulates these factors instinctively, providing the optimal incubation environment for the embryonic development of her eggs. In commercial incubation, these factors must be carefully controlled to mimic the natural environment and ensure successful hatching.
During early incubation, high humidity levels are beneficial to the developing embryo. As the incubation progresses, increasing ventilation becomes important to remove humidity and allow the eggs to lose water, resulting in a healthy air cell size and a good hatching position. The relative humidity in the hatcher should remain constant, typically between 52% and 54%, to prevent the yolk sac from drying too quickly and ensuring the shell membranes remain soft for the chick to escape easily.
Ventilation control systems can automatically adjust humidity levels by monitoring the CO2 levels inside the incubator. Proper hatcher ventilation is achieved by having the correct conditions in the plenum supplying air to the machines. As the temperature of the machine is lowered, the plenum temperature may also need to be lowered to maintain enough heat for proper damper openings.
Additionally, it is important to note that the number of eggs set for incubation can impact the success rate. Setting fewer eggs, especially if they were shipped, may result in a lower number of hatchlings or even none at all.
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When to intervene: helping hatchlings in difficulty
While it is generally advised to let nature take its course, there are some circumstances in which intervention may be necessary to help a hatchling in difficulty.
Firstly, it is important to understand the risks of intervening in the hatching process. Helping a chick hatch can result in a weaker hatchling with lifelong issues such as weak muscles, leg and neck problems, a soft abdomen, and excessive bleeding. This is because the struggle to hatch is essential for the chick to strengthen its body and close its abdomen. Therefore, it is recommended to only intervene if a chick is truly in difficulty and unable to hatch on its own.
Signs that a chick may need help include a lack of peeping or beak movement, indicating that the chick is getting quieter and stiller. This could be due to the membrane drying out or the chick being too large for its shell. If the chick has made a pip and cannot zip, the membrane will rapidly dehydrate, so intervention is often necessary to prevent the chick from dying in its shell.
If you decide to help a chick hatch, there are a few important steps to follow. Firstly, do not completely cover the beak, but cover as much of the exposed membrane as possible to soften it. Lay the pipped beak area on its side or facing up, ensuring the chick has access to air and can breathe. Leave the chick in the incubator for an hour or two, then repeat the process until you have gone entirely around the egg. Soaking the membrane in a wet washcloth can also help to soften it. In very difficult cases, you may need to remove most of the shell and even the membrane itself, but this should be done with caution and only if necessary.
It is important to note that different species may have specific requirements and incubation times, so it is recommended to research and adjust your approach accordingly. Additionally, always ensure that your hands are clean before handling eggs, as bacteria can penetrate the egg and kill any life inside.
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Frequently asked questions
Egg candling is a technique used to shine a light through an egg to see what is happening inside it. It is used to determine if the embryos are growing properly and can be done with a candle or a small, powerful light.
To candle an egg, you need to wash your hands thoroughly and then take an egg from the incubator. Place the larger end of the egg directly above the light and hold it gently near the top with your thumb and forefinger. Gently rotate the egg, tilting it slightly to one side until you find the best view.
It is recommended to candle eggs around 7 to 14 days into the incubation period. It is not advisable to candle eggs daily as it can influence growth and development due to repeated interruptions.
