Chloe Adams
Candling is a method used to determine whether incubated chicken eggs are fertile or not. It involves illuminating the egg with a bright light, such as a flashlight, to see inside the shell. This process is best done in a dark room, and it can be done with a simple flashlight or even a phone flashlight. The light is held against the egg, and if the light passes through, the egg is likely alive and fertile. If the light does not pass through, the egg is likely infertile. Candling can also help identify cracks in the shell, which can allow bacteria to enter and cause the embryo's death. By candling eggs at regular intervals, one can monitor the development of potential embryos and save any surprises down the road.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting | A dark room with a bright light source, such as a flashlight or a phone flashlight |
| Egg Placement | Place the light under the egg or on the bigger end where the air sac forms |
| Egg Characteristics | Look for cracks, network of blood vessels, a dark outline at the center, dark eyes or movement of the embryo |
| Egg Colour | Brown eggs need to be checked later than white eggs due to the difficulty in seeing inside a dark shell |
| Timing | Candle eggs before placing them in the incubator to establish a baseline. The next candling is 6-8 days after incubation |
| Additional Tools | Use a cardboard toilet paper tube on the flashlight to add distance from the heat and channel the light |
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What You'll Learn
Choose a suitable flashlight
When choosing a suitable flashlight to candle chicken eggs, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, the brightness of the flashlight is crucial. A very bright flashlight is necessary, especially when dealing with darker-shelled eggs, which can be more challenging to see through. Look for a flashlight with high lumens; a minimum of 500 lumens is recommended, but flashlights with higher lumens, such as 10,000 lumens, can provide even better visibility. The Wowtac A6, available on Amazon, is an affordable option that offers 1500 lumens for around $20.
Secondly, consider the size of the flashlight. A small, compact flashlight can be easier to handle and manoeuvre during the candling process. The mini Maglite, for example, is a waterproof flashlight that retails for about $12 and has positive reviews for egg candling.
Thirdly, some flashlights designed specifically for egg candling come with a soft rubber ring around the light source. This feature helps protect the egg by creating a seal against the base of the egg, minimising light escape and reducing the risk of dropping or cracking the delicate eggshell. You can also create your own candling apparatus by adding a rubber piece or using a cardboard toilet paper tube to protect the egg and channel the light effectively.
Additionally, it is important to note that while specialised egg candlers are available, they may be more expensive than other options and may not fit all egg sizes. Regular flashlights or even cell phone lights can also be used for egg candling, especially if they are bright enough and have adjustable brightness settings.
Finally, it is recommended to candle eggs in a dark room or closet to properly see inside the egg. The flashlight should be held up to the egg, and depending on the development stage, veins should be visible by day 3, and a full egg by day 14 or so.
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Prepare the room
To prepare the room for candling a chicken egg with a flashlight, follow these steps:
First, ensure the room is dark. This is crucial as it helps you see inside the egg when you shine the flashlight. Turn off all the lights in the room and cover any windows or sources of light to make the room as dark as possible. A completely dark room will allow you to clearly observe the contents of the egg without any external light interference.
Next, prepare a clean and flat surface to place the eggs. This can be a table or any stable surface that provides enough space for you to work comfortably. Make sure the surface is free from clutter and has enough room for the eggs to be placed individually, as they should be examined one at a time.
Additionally, gather all the necessary equipment and place it within easy reach. This includes the flashlight, which is essential for the candling process, as well as any other tools you plan to use, such as a cardboard tube or paper towel roll to direct the light and minimize heat transfer to the egg. Having everything within reach will ensure that you can work efficiently and minimize the time the eggs are out of the incubator.
Finally, if you are using an incubator, have it set up and ready. The incubator should be located in a stable and controlled environment, maintaining the appropriate temperature and humidity levels for the eggs. By preparing the incubator in advance, you can quickly return the eggs to their optimal environment after candling.
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Position the flashlight
To candle a chicken egg with a flashlight, you will need a dark room, a bright light, and the egg you intend to candle. Candling is best done at night or in a dark closet.
The flashlight should be placed under the egg, with the light shining up towards the egg. If you are using a Cool-Lite Tester or a similar light, place the light on the bigger end of the egg, where the air sac forms. This is the end of the egg where the embryo develops. You may need to rotate the egg slightly to get the best seal against the egg and the best view of its inside.
If you are using a high-powered flashlight, you may want to add some distance between the light and the egg to reduce the heat output. One way to do this is to place a cardboard toilet paper tube on the flashlight. This will also help to channel the light.
If you are using a small flashlight, you can place a rubber piece around the top to allow the eggs to sit safely on top without risking cracking.
If you are using a phone flashlight, you will need to place your phone on a flat surface with the flashlight shining up towards the egg.
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Identify a viable embryo
To identify a viable embryo when candling a chicken egg with a flashlight, follow these steps:
Day 0
Candling on the day the egg is laid will not reveal much information. You probably won't be able to see anything, but it will give you an indication of what an undeveloped egg looks like, which can be useful for comparison later.
Day 5-7
After 5-7 days of incubation, you should be able to see spidery blood vessels, possibly a heartbeat, and a small dark spot (the embryo) with red veins branching out and a visible air sac. This is a sign that the embryo is developing properly.
Day 14
By day 14, a healthy chick should take up most of the egg. Look for a darker interior, less light passing through, and continued movement. If it still looks clear or hasn’t changed since Day 7, the egg likely isn’t viable and should be removed.
Day 18
Some sources suggest candling again at day 18. By this time, the chick is positioning itself, ready to emerge. You won't be able to see much other than the increasing air sac size, and the egg is full up with a chick!
General Tips
- Use a bright light source in a dark room. A strong flashlight works great, but you can also use a desk lamp inside a cardboard box with a small hole cut out, or an egg candling light.
- Place the narrow or larger end of the egg (where the air sac is) gently against the light and tilt the egg slightly to one side and rotate until you get the best view.
- Mark each egg with a number and take notes on your findings so that you can compare the results of your first candling with subsequent sessions.
- If you are unsure whether an egg is viable, leave it alone and check again later. If you discard an egg too early, you run the risk of throwing away healthy eggs.
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Check for cracks in the shell
When candling chicken eggs with a flashlight, it is important to check for cracks in the shell. A cracked eggshell can jeopardize a chick's development, so it is crucial to identify and address any cracks before proceeding with candling.
To check for cracks, start by visually inspecting the egg for any signs of breakage or damage. Look for any breaks or fractures on the shell's surface. If you suspect a crack, carefully examine the egg from different angles to determine the extent of the damage.
Feel the eggshell with your fingertips to assess the smoothness of the surface. A crack may be present if you detect any irregularities or rough patches on the shell. Gently run your finger over the shell to feel for any ridges or raised areas that could indicate a crack.
In addition to visual and tactile inspections, you can also use a gentle light source, such as a low-intensity flashlight, to illuminate the egg. Shine the light through the shell, observing how the light passes through. A crack in the shell may cause the light to refract or reflect unevenly, creating a distinct pattern that indicates a break in the shell's structure.
If you identify a cracked egg, it is important to determine whether it is still viable. Examine the inner membrane of the egg to assess its integrity. If the membrane is intact, the egg might still be viable, and you can attempt to salvage it by sealing the crack with non-toxic adhesive tape or wax. However, if the crack has compromised the membrane, the contents of the egg may spill out, and the egg is likely no longer viable.
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Frequently asked questions
Candling is a method used to determine whether incubated chicken eggs are fertile or not. It involves holding a bright light up to the egg to illuminate its contents.
You will need a dark room, a bright flashlight, and the egg you intend to candle.
First, wash your hands to minimize the risk of transferring bacteria to the eggs. Then, take the egg to a dark room and place a flashlight under it. If using a Cool-Lite Tester, put the light on the bigger end of the egg where the air sac forms. Rotate it slightly until you have the best seal against the egg and the best view of the inside of the egg. Identify the "winners" by looking for a network of blood vessels that appear white. A dark outline at the center of the blood vessels is the embryo.
