Ben Carter
Emu eggs are large, weighing around 1.5 lbs, and have a thick, dark shell. They are considered a delicacy, with a rich flavour and unique texture, and can be used for baking or making omelettes and frittatas. Emu farming is a sustainable and profitable venture, but it is challenging, requiring significant investment in land, pens, housing, and feed. Emu eggs are also difficult to candle due to their thick shells, but it is not impossible. Candling involves shining a bright light through the egg to check for fertility and embryo development. A dark shape with spider-like veins indicates a fertile egg, while an infertile egg will appear clear with no dark spots or blood vessels.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose of candling | To check if an egg is fertile and developing properly |
| Candling process | Shining a bright light through the egg to see what's inside without cracking it open |
| Candling devices | Candles, light bulbs, flashlights, Cool-Lite Tester, Emu Vision 2000, Hatchrite |
| Egg turning | At least 3-5 times a day, or more. A male emu turns them 10-12 times a day |
| Egg weight loss | 15% of original weight over incubation |
| Air space | Increases to roughly 15% of egg volume by hatch time |
| Egg weight | 1.5 lbs on average |
| Egg volume | Same as a dozen large chicken eggs |
| Egg taste | Richer than chicken eggs due to higher yolk-to-white ratio |
| Egg color | Ranges from light teal to almost-black emerald |
| Egg price | $30-40 for eating, $45-60 for hatching |
| Incubation temperature | 36C (96.8F) - 38C (100.4F) |
| Incubation duration | 50-52 days |
| Candling frequency | Up to three times |
| First candling | 6-8 days after placing eggs in the incubator |
| Second candling | 14 days after the first candling |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare a dark room, bright light source, and the egg
To candle an emu egg, you will need to prepare a dark room, a bright light source, and the egg.
First, prepare a dark room. Candling is best done in dark conditions, at night, or in a dark closet. The darker the room, the better, as it will allow you to see inside the egg more clearly.
Next, prepare your bright light source. You can use an ultra-bright torch, a flashlight, or a Cool-Lite Tester, which creates a tight seal against the base of the egg, reducing the amount of light that escapes and providing a better view of the inside of the egg. If you are on a budget, you can place a desk lamp with a bright, low-energy lightbulb inside a cardboard box and cut a small, round hole in the top, just big enough for the pointed end of your egg.
Finally, prepare the egg. Wash your hands to minimize the risk of transferring bacteria to the eggs. Place the egg on your candler in the darkened room and turn on the light. You should be able to see shadows from inside the egg. Rotate the egg until you get the best view. If you are using a torch or flashlight, you can use your hand to make a good seal between the light source and the egg.
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Wash hands before and after handling the egg
Emu eggs are large, thick-shelled, and opaque, making it difficult to candle and determine whether they are fertile and developing properly. Candling involves placing a bright light against the egg to see inside. While candling an emu egg, it is crucial to prioritize hygiene and sanitation. Therefore, always wash your hands before and after handling the egg.
Washing your hands before handling the egg is essential to prevent the transfer of bacteria and pathogens from your hands to the egg's surface. This simple practice can significantly reduce the risk of contamination and help create a safe environment for the egg's development.
Washing your hands after handling the egg is equally important. The outer shell of an egg, regardless of whether it is fresh or has been washed, can be contaminated with Salmonella, which can cause food poisoning. By washing your hands with soap and water after handling the egg, you minimize the risk of cross-contamination and protect yourself and others from potential foodborne illnesses.
Proper hand hygiene is a critical aspect of egg handling and should not be overlooked. It is a simple yet effective barrier against the spread of harmful bacteria and pathogens. Remember to pay attention to your handwashing technique, ensuring that you lather with soap, wash your hands thoroughly, and rinse and dry them effectively.
In addition to handwashing, it is important to maintain a clean environment when handling emu eggs. Ensure that the incubation area is kept sanitary, and follow other recommended food safety practices for raw eggs, such as cooking eggs thoroughly to destroy any harmful bacteria.
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Place the light against the narrow end of the egg
Emu eggs have a thick, dark shell, which makes it difficult to candle them and determine whether they are fertile and developing properly. Candling involves placing a bright light against the egg to see inside without cracking it open. The traditional method used an actual candle, but today, a strong flashlight works just as well.
To candle an emu egg, place the light against the narrow end of the egg. This end is known as the "blunt end terminus". It is important to ensure that no light filters between the light source and the shell, so you may need to cup your hand around the light. If the egg is fertile and developing, you should be able to see the embryo and observe its vascular system.
However, due to the thick and opaque nature of emu egg shells, it can be challenging to get a clear view of the embryo. One solution is to create fenestrations, or small holes, in the shell to allow light to pass through. This technique, known as "fenestration candling," involves carefully drilling two small holes in the blunt end terminus of the egg. The first hole is a 2 cm x 4 cm section located one-third of the way from the end, and the second is a 1 cm diameter section on the very end. After creating the fenestrations, cover them with transparent adhesive film to protect the shell and membrane.
With fenestration candling, light is shone through the larger hole, or "equatorial window," and observed through the smaller hole, or "blunt end terminus." This method utilizes the laws of light refraction to provide a clearer view of the embryo. It is important to note that this technique should be performed with extreme care to avoid damaging the egg.
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Identify a dark spot (embryo) with veins for a fertile egg
Emu eggs have a thick, dark shell, which makes candling difficult. Candling involves shining a bright light into the egg, illuminating its interior so you can see what is inside the shell.
To identify a dark spot (embryo) with veins for a fertile egg, you need to candle the egg. You can make your own egg candler by placing a 60-watt lightbulb inside a coffee can with a 1-inch (2.5 cm) hole at the top. Alternatively, you can use a very bright flashlight with cardboard covering the opening, with a 1-inch hole in the middle.
If the egg is fertile, you will see a visible network of blood vessels spreading from the centre of the egg outwards. This is a sign that the embryo is developing properly. You should also see a dark spot, which is the embryo.
Another method to check fertility is to use a stethoscope. Fertile eggs should have mini heartbeat sounds. This method is best for eggs that are more than 40 days old.
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Infertile eggs are clear, with no veins or dark spots
Emu eggs are large, thick-shelled, and opaque, which makes them difficult to candle. Candling involves placing a bright light against an egg to see inside. While candling emu eggs, you might not be able to see anything at first, but you will be able to tell if something is developing inside. If you can't see anything, that means something is growing inside the egg.
To candle an emu egg, you can buy specific egg candling devices that look like small flashlights, or you can make your own egg candler at home by placing a 60-watt lightbulb inside a coffee can with a hole at the top. Alternatively, you can use a very bright flashlight with cardboard covering the opening and a hole in the middle. You should candle your eggs in a completely dark room or closet, holding your hand around the light to block any extra light.
It is important to note that emu eggs need to be turned at least 3-5 times a day for proper development. This allows the growing baby and yolk to stay centered and access more nutrition. Without proper turning, parts of the vascular system may be cut off due to the weight of the growing embryo.
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Frequently asked questions
Candling is a method used to check if an egg is fertile and developing properly. It involves shining a bright light through the egg to see what’s inside without cracking it open.
You will need a strong light source, such as a flashlight, and a dark room. A candling device with a video monitor and an infrared light source can also be used.
Place the narrow end of the egg gently against the light source in a dark room. If the egg is fertile, you will see a dark shape and spider-like veins around day 6 or 7. By day 14, the egg should be mostly dark with less light passing through.
Most people candle eggs twice: once on day 7 to check for early signs of life, and again on day 14 to check that the egg is developing properly.
It is important to maintain a constant temperature of 97.0-97.5°F (36-38°C) in the incubator and ensure a humidity level of approximately 35%. The eggs should be turned at least 3-5 times a day to ensure proper embryo development.
