Ben Carter
Candling is a method used to check if a bird egg is fertile and developing properly. It involves shining a bright light through the egg to see what's going on inside without cracking it open. The term candling comes from the traditional practice of using candles, but nowadays, people use flashlights or specialised candling torches. The process is simple and only requires a few supplies and minutes of your time. It's important to candle eggs at regular intervals to avoid surprises and manage your hatch more confidently.
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What You'll Learn
How to tell if a bird egg is fertile
Candling is a simple method used to check if a bird egg is fertile and developing properly. It involves illuminating the interior of an egg to observe its contents without cracking it open. The process works by shining a bright light through the egg to see what's going on inside.
Prepare the necessary equipment
You can buy specific egg candling devices at any poultry supply store. These usually look like small flashlights that are battery-powered or plug-in. Alternatively, you can make your own egg candler at home by placing a 60-watt lightbulb inside a coffee can with a 2.5 cm diameter hole on top. A strong flashlight covered with cardboard, with a 1-inch diameter hole in the middle, will also work.
Create the right environment
Work in a dark room to better observe the interior of the egg. Wash your hands before and after handling the eggs. Ensure your hands are clean and dry—oil from your fingers can clog the pores in the eggshell and prevent the embryo from getting oxygen.
Examine the egg
Hold the egg gently against the light source, with the narrow end touching the light. Rotate the egg until you get a clear view of its interior.
Identify signs of fertility
A fertile egg will typically show a small dark spot, which is the embryo, with red veins branching out and a visible air sac. You may even see movement inside the egg. The spider-like veins supply nutrients to the embryo as it develops.
Identify signs of infertility
An infertile egg will look fairly clear, with no visible dark spots, blood vessels, or blood rings. The yolk may be a lemon yellow colour with a small dark circle in the centre, indicating the hen's contribution to the egg's viability.
Observe the egg over time
Repeat the candling process over several days to track the egg's development. By day 7, a viable, fertile egg will show the embryo and spider-like veins. By day 14, a healthy chick will occupy most of the egg, making the interior darker with less light passing through.
Alternative methods
In addition to candling, you can check for fertility by observing if the egg floats in a bowl of warm water. Infertile eggs tend to float as they have a lower volume and are lighter. Another method is to crack open the egg and examine it for a blastoderm, which is a white circle with solid edges. However, this method is not suitable if you plan to breed or incubate the egg.
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What to look for when candling
When candling bird eggs, there are several things to look out for to ensure the process is carried out effectively and safely. Firstly, it is important to handle the eggs with care. Eggs can be out of the incubator for up to 30 minutes, but they should be handled gently and returned to the incubator as soon as possible. It is also crucial to ensure that your hands are clean and dry when handling eggs, as oil from your fingers can clog the pores in the eggshell, depriving the embryo of necessary oxygen.
The lighting conditions are also important when candling. The process should be carried out in a dark room, with a bright light source directed at the egg. For shipped eggs with air cell damage, the light source should be placed on the air cell end of the egg, not the bottom end, to ensure visibility. The egg should not be rotated or jiggled, as this can damage the embryo, especially if the egg has been damaged during shipping. For non-shipped eggs, hold the egg at a slight angle with the large end towards the light source, and turn it slowly.
During candling, there are several indicators of normal egg development to look out for. From day three onwards, veins and blood vessels should become visible and continue to grow and spread. By day eight, the embryo should be visible as a "peep" wiggling and kicking in the egg. As the hatch progresses, the air pocket in the egg should increase in size, and the egg will darken as it fills with the developing bird.
There are also several signs that an egg may be "gone bad". These include a vague ring inside the egg, a distinct blood spot, and a lack of development compared to other eggs. However, it is important to note that some eggs may appear to be behind in development due to factors such as viewing angle, so it is advisable not to give up on these eggs until you are certain they are not developing.
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How often to candle bird eggs
The frequency with which you candle bird eggs depends on your reasons for candling. If you are candling to check for cracks, you should do so as soon as you receive the eggs. If you are candling to check the viability of the embryo, it is best to wait until after a week of incubation. At this point, you can be reasonably precise about the viability of the embryo.
Some sources suggest candling again at 14 days, as after two weeks, it is difficult to see inside the egg because the chick takes up most of the space. However, others advise against disturbing the eggs after 14 days. One source says they candle at day 7 and 18 only, while another says they never candle before day 18.
It is possible to candle eggs every day, and some sources say they have done so without causing any harm. However, the more you handle the eggs, the more likely you are to accidentally drop them, which could kill the chick. One source says that candling too often has caused them to discard viable eggs, as they look like they are not growing when they are fine.
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How to candle shipped eggs
Candling is a simple method used to check if a shipped bird egg is fertile and developing properly. It involves shining a bright light through the egg to see what's going on inside without cracking it open. The term "candling" comes from the traditional practice of using candles, but nowadays, a strong flashlight or a phone's flashlight app works just fine.
When candling shipped eggs, it's important to always keep the eggs with the air cell end up and, if possible, leave them in an egg carton. Place the light source on the air cell end, not the bottom, or you will be able to see very little. Do not turn or rotate the egg; instead, move the flashlight around it. Be careful not to jiggle or slosh the egg, as this can damage or kill the embryo, especially if the membranes and interior have been severely damaged during shipping.
It is recommended to candle shipped eggs before placing them in the incubator to establish a baseline for comparison later on. Then, the first candling can take place 6-8 days after they are incubated. However, it's important to note that brown eggs need to be checked for development later than white eggs due to the difficulty in seeing inside the darker shell. For darker-coloured eggs, such as Black Copper Marans or Welsummers, more practice is needed to accurately interpret the results.
During candling, look for signs of fertility and healthy development. A fertile egg will typically show a small dark spot (the embryo) with red veins branching out and a visible air sac by Day 6 or 7. If there is no change by Day 14, it likely indicates that the chick has stopped developing, and the egg should be removed.
Additionally, always check shipped eggs for cracks when they arrive, as cracks can allow bacteria to enter and affect the embryo's development. Put the eggs aside, pointed end down, and let them settle for at least 12-24 hours before candling, as the air cell can get damaged during transit.
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How to make a candler
Candling bird eggs is a process that helps you understand if your eggs are fertile and developing correctly. It is a simple process that can be done using a store-bought or homemade candler.
To make a candler, you will need a bright light source such as a flashlight or a light bulb, and a container such as a cardboard box or a projector. If you are using a cardboard box, cut a small hole in it for the light to pass through. The hole should be about the size of a dime or a quarter, depending on the size of the egg. Place the light source inside the container and ensure the hole is sealed tightly to prevent light leakage. Alternatively, if you are using a projector, tape a cone made from several thicknesses of paper over the lens to focus the light.
Once your candler is ready, turn off the lights in the room to observe the best results. Hold the egg at a slight angle with the large end towards the light source. Gently rock the egg from side to side, being careful not to block the light with your fingers. This process allows you to examine the contents of the egg and identify any cracks or signs of embryo development.
It is recommended to candle bird eggs up to three times during the incubation period, with the first candling occurring after the first week. This helps prevent temperature fluctuations that can harm the embryos and allows you to identify and remove any infertile or "bad" eggs, which can explode and contaminate the others.
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Frequently asked questions
Candling is a simple method used to check if a bird egg is fertile and developing properly. It involves shining a bright light through the egg to see what’s going on inside without cracking it open.
You will need a bright light source, such as a strong flashlight, and a dark room. You can also buy candlers online from poultry shops. Place the narrow end of the egg gently against the light. If the egg is fertile, you will see a dark shape and spider-like veins around day 6-7.
It is recommended to candle eggs two to three times. The first candling should take place before placing the eggs in the incubator, and the next candling should take place 6-8 days after they are placed in the incubator. The final candling takes place about a week later.
If the egg is fertile, you will see a dark shape (the embryo) with visible red veins. If the egg is infertile, it will look clear with no dark spots or blood vessels.
