Ben Carter
Candling is the process of shining a bright light into an egg to see its contents. This allows you to determine if an egg is fertile and developing properly. It is a crucial step in incubation as it helps identify eggs that are cracked, infertile, or rotten, which can be a breeding ground for bacteria. To candle a turkey egg, you can use a small ultra-bright torch or even your cellphone's built-in flashlight in a dark room. By moving the angle of the egg against the light, you should be able to observe the embryo and its development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To determine if the eggs are fertile |
| Process | Shine a bright light into an egg to see inside it |
| Equipment | A small ultra-bright torch, a candle, or a mobile phone flashlight |
| Timing | On day 7, and again on day 24 |
| Indicators of fertility | Spider-like formations, veins, blood vessels, embryo movement |
| Indicators of infertility | Clear eggs, lack of development, vague ring, blood spot, no veins |
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What You'll Learn
Why candle turkey eggs?
Candling turkey eggs is a crucial step in the incubation process. It involves shining a bright light through the eggshell to examine its contents and identify any potential issues. The process gets its name from the traditional method of using a candle to illuminate the egg, although modern candlers now use bright torches or specialised devices.
Candling is performed to determine the fertility of an egg. By observing the interior of the egg, you can identify whether the egg is fertile and an embryo is developing. This process also helps in removing non-viable eggs, such as those that are infertile or have died prematurely. These eggs can become rotten and potentially explode, contaminating other eggs and the incubator. Therefore, candling is essential for maintaining the health and safety of the remaining eggs.
Additionally, candling can help detect hairline cracks in eggs. Cracked eggs can allow bacteria to enter, leading to infections that may cause premature embryo death. By identifying and removing cracked eggs, candling helps prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and ensures the optimal conditions for embryo development.
Candling is typically performed at specific intervals during the incubation process. It is recommended to candle turkey eggs around day 10 to check for fertility and again on day 25, right before placing the incubator on "lockdown". During this second candling, you can assess the development of the embryos and discard any eggs that have stopped developing.
Overall, candling turkey eggs is a critical step in ensuring the successful hatching of healthy poults. It allows for the identification and removal of non-viable or cracked eggs, maintaining optimal conditions for embryo development and reducing potential health risks. By following recommended candling practices and intervals, individuals can increase the chances of a successful hatch and the well-being of their turkey poults.
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What equipment is needed?
To candle a turkey egg, you will need a light source to shine through the egg, allowing you to see inside it. This process is called "candling" because traditionally, people used candles for this purpose.
Today, you can use a small ultra-bright torch, preferably with batteries, as they do not emit heat and can be easily manoeuvred. Modern LED torches are also a good option as they produce a bright white light without emitting much heat. If you want to avoid the hassle of holding the torch, you can opt for a table-top unit with a designated spot to place the egg. Additionally, you can even use the flashlight on your cell phone, which can be superior to expensive "egg candlers."
It is also recommended to have pictures or video clips that show you what to look for inside the egg, so you can identify things like cracks, blood spots, or other undesirable contents.
Remember to perform candling in a dark room or closet to enhance your view of the egg's contents.
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How to candle
Candling is a process used to determine if a turkey egg is fertile. It involves shining a bright light into an egg to see inside it. This process does not damage the embryo, as long as the egg's temperature is maintained.
To candle a turkey egg, you will need a candling device. Modern candling devices are usually battery-operated and LED-powered. They tend to come in two varieties: the first is like a torch with a rubber seal around the end, and the second is a tabletop unit with a place to sit the egg. You can also use a small, bright torch and your hand to make a good seal.
Candle your eggs in a dark room, by picking up each egg and shining a light through the wide end. Move the angle of the egg on the light to get the best view of what's going on inside. You should see a network of veins radiating out from a tiny heart in the centre. If the egg is clear, it is not fertile. If you see a dark ring but no network of veins, the egg started to develop but stopped. Mark any questionable eggs and check them again in a couple of days.
You can candle eggs before incubation to look for cracks, which can allow bacteria to enter. During incubation, candling can be used to identify fertile eggs and remove non-viable eggs, which can become rotten and contaminate the other eggs.
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What to look for
Candling a turkey egg is the process of shining a bright light into an egg to see inside it. It is a way to determine if an egg is fertile and to check for cracks.
When candling a turkey egg, you should look for a network of veins, radiating out from a tiny heart in the centre. If the egg is clear, it is infertile and can be removed from the incubator. If there is a dark ring, but no network of veins, this indicates that the egg started to develop but stopped. These eggs should also be removed.
From day 3, veins may start to appear. By day 7, the egg should be quite dark, with a large air sac. By day 8, you may be able to see the chick wiggling and kicking in the egg. As the hatch progresses, the air pocket in the egg should get larger, and the egg will get darker as it is filled with more bird. During the last three days of a hatch, it is best to avoid candling the eggs unless there is a specific reason to do so.
If you are having trouble viewing the contents of the egg, try turning off the lights or moving to a dark room or closet. You can candle eggs every day if you like, but eggs should only be out of the incubator for up to 30 minutes at a time.
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What to do next
Candling a turkey egg is the process of shining a bright light into an egg to see inside it. It is used to determine if an egg is fertile and to check for cracks. Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do next:
Prepare the Incubator:
Before placing the eggs in the incubator, it is important to sanitise it and ensure it is functioning properly by maintaining the correct temperature and humidity levels. For turkey eggs, the incubator humidity should start at 55-60%, and the temperature should be maintained at 99 degrees Fahrenheit if using a circulated air incubator. If using a still air incubator, increase the temperature by 2-3 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mark and Rotate the Eggs:
Once the incubator is ready, mark each egg with a soft pencil to keep track of them during incubation. Turning the eggs is essential to prevent the developing embryos from sticking to the shell. Turn the eggs 180 degrees 3-5 times a day.
Candling Process:
Candling can be done using a household torch or the bright light on your cell phone. It is best to candle the eggs in a dark room. Pick up each egg and shine the light through the wide end, practising with different angles to get the best view.
Identify Fertile Eggs:
Around day 7, you should be able to see spider-like formations in fertile eggs, indicating the presence of veins and a developing embryo. Clear eggs are infertile and should be removed from the incubator.
Repeat Candling:
It is recommended to candle turkey eggs at least twice. Repeat the process on day 15 or day 24 to ensure the eggs are developing properly. By this time, you should see a network of veins radiating out from a tiny heart in the centre.
Remove Non-Viable Eggs:
If an egg is clear, it is infertile and can be discarded. If you see a dark ring but no network of veins, the egg started to develop but stopped. These eggs, known as "quitters," should also be removed as they can become rotten and explode, contaminating the incubator.
Adjust Settings for Lockdown:
After candling on day 24, it is time for "lockdown." Stop turning the eggs, increase the humidity to 64%, and ensure all air vents are fully open. Maintain the lid on the incubator to keep the humidity level steady during the hatching process.
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Frequently asked questions
Candling is when a bright light is shone into an egg to see inside it. It is used to check for cracks, blood spots, or other undesirable contents.
Candle your eggs in a dark room, by picking up each egg and shining a light through the wide end. You can use a small ultra-bright torch or even the flashlight on your cell phone.
Turkey poults take 28 days to complete the incubation process. It is recommended to candle turkey eggs at least twice: on day 7, and again on day 24, before placing the incubator on lockdown.
