Brooke Martin
Candling is a process used to determine the fertility of turkey eggs and check for cracks. It involves holding a bright light against an egg in a dark room to examine its interior. This process is typically done at least twice, on days 7 and 24 of the 28-day incubation period. By day 7, veins and blood vessels should be visible, indicating fertility. Clear eggs are infertile and should be removed from the incubator to prevent bacterial growth. Candling is an important step in incubation, allowing for the removal of unfertile or quitter eggs, which can cause bacteria to proliferate and produce an unpleasant smell.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To determine if eggs are fertile, cracked, or developing |
| Timing | First candling on day 7, second on day 14 or 15, and third on day 24 or 25 |
| Indicators of Fertility | Spider-like formations, veins, blood vessels, embryo movement |
| Indicators of Infertility | Clear eggs, lack of development, vague ring, distinct blood spot |
| Egg Handling | Clean hands, minimal handling, room temperature, no washing |
| Incubator Settings | Humidity: 50-60%, Temperature: 99°F (circulated air) or higher (still air) |
| Additional Notes | Candling is an important step to prevent bacterial growth |
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What You'll Learn
How to tell if a turkey egg is fertile
Turkey eggs take 28 days to complete the incubation process. To tell if a turkey egg is fertile, you can use a process called egg candling. This involves illuminating the interior of an egg so that you can see what is inside the shell.
To candle a turkey egg, you will need a bright light, such as an egg candler, and a darkened room. After a week of incubation, place the egg onto your egg candler and turn on the light. You should be able to see shadows from inside the egg. With practice, you will be able to identify fertile eggs by the presence of a dark dot (the embryo), and spider-like blood veins spreading out from the centre of the egg. The embryo's eyes are the darkest spots inside the egg, and if you are lucky, you may even see the heart beating.
If you are having trouble viewing the contents of the egg, try turning off more lights or moving to a darker room. You can candle eggs every day if you like, but after three days, you should be able to see something. Be sure to keep your hands clean and dry, as oil from your fingers can clog the pores in the egg shell and prevent the embryo from getting oxygen.
By day 14, you should absolutely see veins in a developing egg, regardless of egg colour. By day 15, candling should make it very clear which eggs are developing and which are not.
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How to prepare a turkey egg incubator
Preparing a turkey egg incubator is a simple process, but it does require some care and attention to detail. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare a turkey egg incubator for hatching:
Step 1: Sanitize the Incubator
Before placing any eggs inside, ensure your incubator is clean and sanitized. This is an important step to prevent bacteria from entering the eggs through their porous shells. Use a suitable disinfectant and follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper sanitization.
Step 2: Set Up the Incubator
Set up the incubator in a quiet spot, allowing it to run for at least 24 hours before introducing the eggs. This waiting period helps stabilize the environment inside the incubator, maintaining the correct temperature and humidity. For turkey eggs, the ideal starting humidity is between 55-60%, and the temperature should be maintained at 99 degrees Fahrenheit for a forced-air incubator (with a fan) or 100-101 degrees Fahrenheit for a still-air incubator (without a fan). Make sure to cross-check the digital display with accurate thermometers and hygrometers.
Step 3: Prepare the Eggs
Collect the turkey eggs and handle them with clean hands to prevent bacterial contamination. Place the eggs pointed-end down in a cardboard egg carton and keep them in the same room as the incubator. If you plan to hold the eggs for more than 24 hours before incubation, prop one end of the carton up a few inches and rotate the ends approximately every 12 hours. This prevents the embryo from sticking to the shell membrane.
Step 4: Mark and Place the Eggs
Once the incubator is ready, mark each egg with a soft pencil. Mark one side with a number and the other with an 'X' or an 'O' to help you keep track of rotating the eggs. Place the marked eggs into the incubator, ensuring they are positioned correctly.
Step 5: Rotate the Eggs
During the first 24 days of incubation, turn the eggs multiple times a day. You can do this by hand or use an automatic turner. Turning the eggs prevents the developing embryos from sticking to the shell. Aim for a rotation of 180 degrees, about 3-5 times per day.
Step 6: Monitor Temperature and Humidity
Throughout the incubation process, closely monitor the temperature and humidity levels. Make adjustments as needed to maintain the ideal conditions. Remember that slight variations in conditions can significantly impact the length of incubation.
Step 7: Candling
Candling involves holding a bright light to the eggs in a dark room to check their development. On day 7, you should see spider-like formations in fertile eggs. Clear eggs are infertile and should be removed. Repeat the process on day 15 to confirm the development of questionable eggs.
Step 8: Lockdown and Hatching
Around day 24, it's time for "lockdown." Stop turning the eggs and remove them from the automatic turner if you're using one. Increase the humidity to 64-70% and wait for the first "pip," when you'll begin to hear peeping from inside the eggs. The hatching process usually takes about 24 hours, and then you'll have your adorable turkey babies!
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How to handle turkey eggs before incubation
To handle turkey eggs before incubation, you should first collect the eggs and store them at room temperature in a cool, dry place such as a pantry or cupboard. Do not wash the eggs, but use a paper towel or plastic egg brush to clean off any dirt or feces. Washing the eggs will remove the protective bloom that safeguards the egg's interior from bacteria.
Before setting up your incubator, ensure you have a reliable thermometer and hygrometer. You can purchase these at most farm stores. The thermometer should be able to give you a good reading within the 85-110F degree range. Set up the incubator on a safe, stable surface in a room with a steady temperature, and allow it to run for at least 24 hours before placing the eggs inside. This will allow the environment inside the incubator to stabilize, giving you time to make any necessary adjustments. Aim for an incubator humidity of 55-60% and a temperature of 99 degrees Fahrenheit if using a circulated air incubator. If using a still air incubator, increase the temperature by 2-3 degrees.
When you are ready to place the eggs in the incubator, lay them flat on their sides and mark each egg with a regular pencil to track their turning schedule. Mark one side with an 'X' and the other with an 'O' or a number, allowing you to turn the eggs 180 degrees and keep track of their progress. Avoid using colored pencils, pens, or markers, as these contain chemicals that can penetrate the egg's pores and harm the developing embryos. Place the eggs gently in the incubator, with the marked sides facing up. If your incubator has egg holders, place the eggs with their narrower end facing downwards.
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How to know if a turkey egg is developing
To know if a turkey egg is developing, you can candle it. Candling involves shining a bright light into an egg in a dark room to see inside it. This allows you to see the embryo and check for cracks or signs of non-viability.
To candle a turkey egg, you can use a high-powered light source or a traditional candle, as the term 'candling' originates from the use of candles in the past. Place the egg on the candler in a dark room and turn on the light. You should be able to see shadows from inside the egg. Rotate the egg to get the best view. If the egg is fertile, you will see a dark dot, the embryo, and spider-like veins spreading out around the egg.
There are several indicators of a developing egg:
- Veins and blood vessels that continue to grow and spread
- Movement of the embryo inside the egg
- An increasing air pocket in the egg
- A darker colour as the egg becomes more filled with the bird
If the egg is infertile, you will only see the shadow of the yolk without any veins or an embryo. Such clear eggs should be removed from the incubator.
It is recommended to candle turkey eggs after 7 days of incubation to check their viability. By day 14, you can be reasonably precise about the viability of the embryo and remove any non-viable eggs to avoid them exploding inside the incubator.
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How to increase the chances of turkey egg hatch success
Candling is a process that involves holding a bright light to turkey eggs in a dark room to determine their fertility and development. Spider-like formations become visible around day 7 in fertile eggs, while clear eggs are infertile. Candling also helps identify cracked eggs that should be discarded.
To increase the chances of a successful turkey egg hatch, follow these steps:
Prepare the Incubator:
Sanitize your incubator and let it run for 24 hours to stabilize the environment. Ensure the incubator maintains the correct temperature and humidity. For turkey eggs, the recommended humidity range is 55-60% for the first 25 days, increasing to 64-70% in the final 3-4 days. The temperature should be maintained at 99 degrees Fahrenheit if using a circulated air incubator and 2-3 degrees Fahrenheit higher if using a still air incubator.
Collect and Store Eggs:
Gather turkey eggs frequently, checking the nesting area every few hours. Turkeys instinctually hide their nests, so observe them closely to locate their hiding spots. Once collected, store the eggs for no more than seven days before incubation. Mark each egg with a soft pencil to keep track of them during rotation.
Rotate the Eggs:
Rotate the eggs 180 degrees 3-5 times a day for the first 24-25 days. Hand turning is recommended for better hatch rates, but automatic turners can also be used. Rotation prevents the developing embryos from sticking to the shell.
Candle the Eggs:
Use candling to check the fertility and development of the eggs. On day 7, look for spider-like formations that indicate fertility. By day 14, remove and discard any eggs that appear to be undeveloped to prevent them from rotting and exploding inside the incubator.
Lockdown:
On day 24-26, stop rotating the eggs and increase the humidity to 64-70%. This is the "lockdown" period, where you wait for the first "pip," which is the first break in the eggshell.
Brooding:
On day 28, you should hear peeping from the eggs, indicating the hatching process. Prepare a brooder to receive the poults as they hatch. The hatching process can take up to 24 hours, and the poults will need time to dry off.
Remember to maintain proper hygiene by washing your hands before handling the eggs and providing a clean environment for the hatching process.
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Frequently asked questions
Candling is holding a bright light to eggs in a dark room to check their fertility and development.
You can candle turkey eggs from day 3 to check for veins and blood vessels. However, some sources recommend waiting until day 7, and again on day 24, as you may not see anything before this.
You can candle turkey eggs as often as every day. However, some sources recommend candling every week or every other day until you see good growth.
You should look for a network of veins and a tiny heart in fertile eggs. Clear eggs are infertile and should be removed. A dark ring with no veins indicates an egg that has started to develop but stopped.
You can use the flashlight on your cell phone or a bright light in a dark room to candle turkey eggs. Ensure your hands are clean to avoid damaging the eggs or causing bacteria to develop.
