Brooke Martin
Candling is a technique used to inspect eggs for signs of life and development. Traditionally, a high-powered flashlight or a specialized egg candler is used to illuminate the inside of an egg, but some people have found success using their phone's flashlight. This method may be more convenient and accessible, but it has its limitations, especially when dealing with darker-shelled eggs or when trying to observe finer details. The brightness and heat output of the light source, as well as the room lighting, play crucial roles in the success of candling.
Candling an egg with a phone
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Phone flashlight | Should be bright enough to see inside the egg |
| Phone model | iPhone |
| Room lighting | Dark room |
| Egg colour | Dark-shelled eggs are harder to candle |
| Flashlight heat | Should not be too hot so as not to harm the eggs |
| Flashlight distance | Place the phone on a flat surface next to the incubator |
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What You'll Learn
Using a phone flashlight to candle eggs
Next, find a dark room to candle the eggs in, as this will make it easier to see inside the egg. Place your phone on a flat surface, such as a table, with the flashlight facing up. Take one egg at a time and hold it over the flashlight, looking through the end with the air sac. If you cannot see inside the egg, try turning it so that the air sac is facing up. Shifting the orientation of the egg may make it easier to observe the interior.
If you are concerned about the heat from the flashlight, you can try using a cardboard toilet paper tube as a barrier. Place the tube over the flashlight to add some distance between the light and the egg, reducing the heat transferred to the egg. This will also help to channel the light onto the egg.
It is important to note that using a phone flashlight may not provide as bright a light as a dedicated egg candler, and it may be a worthwhile investment if you plan to hatch many eggs in the future. A proper candler will provide brighter light, less light leakage, and a more stable platform for the eggs.
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The brightness of phone flashlights
The brightness of a phone flashlight is typically measured in lumens, which indicate the amount of light produced. The higher the lumen output, the brighter the beam projected. Phone flashlights usually fall within a range of 20 to 100 lumens, but some modern smartphones can reach up to 200 lumens or more. For example, the iPhone 11 is said to have a "Brighter True Tone flash," and comparisons suggest that its highest setting may be around 40-50 lumens.
The brightness of a phone flashlight is influenced by various factors beyond just lumens, such as the design of the flashlight, reflector technology, and lens quality. Additionally, the intended usage scenario is important to consider. For indoor or close-range tasks, a lower lumen output may be sufficient, while outdoor activities like hiking or camping may require a higher lumen output for greater visibility over longer distances.
When using a phone flashlight for candling eggs, as some people have suggested, the brightness and quality of light are important factors. While a phone flashlight can work for candling, the shells of the eggs should not be too dark, as the light may not penetrate and provide a clear view of the embryo inside. In this case, a dedicated flashlight or egg candler with higher brightness and less light leakage might be a better investment.
It's worth noting that using a phone flashlight for extended periods can drain the battery, and the brightness may not be sufficient for all tasks. For activities that require a sustained and focused beam of light, such as night walks, camping, or trekking, a dedicated flashlight with superior brightness and beam profile is recommended. Therefore, while phone flashlights can be useful for quick illumination in small areas or everyday tasks like finding items in a dark room, they may not always provide the desired brightness or runtime.
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Using a cardboard egg holder
Candling involves shining a bright light into an egg, allowing you to see its contents and check whether it is developing properly. It is a process used to learn which eggs are fertile and will hatch into baby chicks.
To candle an egg with a phone, you can use a phone flashlight, so long as the egg shells are not too dark. If you plan to hatch many eggs in the future, a proper candler is worth investing in, as you will get less light leakage, a brighter light, and the egg will sit on it.
If you are using a phone, you can tape a cardboard egg holder to it. First, darken the room. Then, place the eggs one by one into the cardboard egg holder taped to your phone. Gently roll the egg on the candler to get the best view.
If you are using a high-powered flashlight, you can put a cardboard toilet paper tube on the flashlight to add a little distance from the heat and channel the light.
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Phone candling vs. egg candling devices
Candling is a critical process when hatching eggs, allowing you to check their fertility and development. The process involves shining a bright light into the egg, illuminating its interior. While candling equipment doesn't need to be fancy, it should ideally be bright enough to see through darker egg shells.
Using a phone for candling is possible, and some people have reported success with their iPhone flashlight. However, the flashlights on phones may not be bright enough, especially for darker eggshells. One user reported that their phone flashlight worked, but a dedicated egg candling device provided less light leakage, a brighter light, and a more stable setup.
Commercially produced candlers, such as the Brinsea Ecoglow, offer a more intense light, making it easier to see inside the egg, especially during the early days of incubation. The Brinsea candlers are also praised for their durability, with some users reporting using them for up to ten years. Additionally, devices like the EggScope help cut out ambient light, making it easier to examine darker-shelled eggs. The EggScope also features a mechanism to turn the eggs from the outside while they are enclosed in the chamber.
For those who want to use their phones, there are additional tools that can enhance the process. The OvaScope, for instance, can be used with a mobile device camera, although balancing it can be tricky. The SwitchBot Mini-Hub is another useful tool that connects to your phone via Bluetooth, allowing you to monitor temperature and humidity levels in your incubator remotely.
In conclusion, while phone candling is possible, dedicated egg candling devices offer brighter lights and additional features that make examining eggs easier, especially those with darker shells. For serious chicken farmers or enthusiasts, investing in a dedicated candling device is likely to be more effective and provide a better overall experience.
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Candle dark-shelled eggs
It is possible to candle dark-shelled eggs with a phone, but the light may not be powerful enough to see inside the egg. One source suggests that a high-powered work flashlight with an output of 10,000 lumens was powerful enough to see inside dark-shelled eggs, while a phone flashlight was not.
If you do choose to use a phone, it is recommended that you lie the phone on a flat surface next to the incubator and candle the eggs one by one. It is also important to candle the eggs in a dark room. You can hold the egg horizontally and candle the large end with the air sack, or turn the egg so it is point down and air sac up.
To prevent the heat of the flashlight from harming the eggs, you can add some distance by attaching a cardboard toilet paper tube to the flashlight.
If you plan to candle dark-shelled eggs regularly, it may be worth investing in a proper candler. This will reduce light leakage and provide a brighter light.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can candle eggs with a phone flashlight, as long as the shells are not too dark.
Place your phone on a flat surface next to the incubator and bring the eggs to it one by one. Make sure you are in a dark room so that you can properly see inside the egg.
If your phone's flashlight is too weak, you can try using a cardboard toilet paper tube to channel and direct the light. Alternatively, you can adjust the brightness settings on your phone to increase the light intensity.
