Tyler Brooks
Candling is a process used to check the fertility of eggs and monitor embryo development. It involves examining eggs using a bright light source, such as a candle or LED torch, in a dark room. By candling eggs, farmers can identify which eggs are fertile and will hatch into chicks, helping to avoid the unpleasant surprise of an exploded egg in the incubator. The process also allows for the detection of double yolk eggs, which rarely hatch successfully. While candling can be done as early as day 3, it is recommended to start around day 7 and repeat at day 14, as the embryo grows and fills the egg, making it harder to see inside. It is important to work quickly, minimise interruptions, and return the eggs to the incubator within 20-30 minutes to avoid affecting embryo development.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Equipment | A small ultra-bright torch, a table-top unit with a place to sit the egg, a small powerful light, a Cool-Lite Tester |
| Room | Dark or very dimly lit |
| Egg position | Larger end of the egg (where the air sac is) directly against the light, pointed end facing downwards |
| Timing | Before incubation, then every few days, not after day 16 or 17 |
| What to look for | Blood vessels, air cell, cracks in the shell, embryo, veins, eye |
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What You'll Learn
Equipment for candling
To candle an egg, you will need a light source to shine through the egg so that you can see its contents. The best option is to use a small, ultra-bright torch with LED lights. This is because LED lights produce a bright white light without emitting much heat. You can also use an egg candling device, which can be mains-powered or battery-operated. These devices 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 stand to place the egg on.
If you are using a torch, you can use your hand to make a seal between the light source and the egg. Alternatively, you can use a candling device with a built-in stand. In either case, the egg should be placed on a rotating stand with the larger end of the egg (where the air sac is) directly against the light. The egg is then covered by a hood to block out ambient light, and you can view it through an eyepiece, which magnifies the egg slightly.
You will also need a dark room to candle eggs in, as this will make it easier to see the contents of the egg. It is important to work quickly and return the eggs to the incubator within 20-30 minutes to avoid disrupting the development of the embryo. Additionally, make sure your hands are clean and dry, as oil from your fingers can clog the pores in the egg shell and prevent the embryo from getting enough oxygen.
Finally, it is recommended to mark each egg with a number and take notes on your findings so that you can compare the results of multiple candlings.
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How to hold the egg
To hold the egg in the candle test, it is important to ensure that the egg is held securely, with minimal movement, and that the room is dark enough to allow for clear observation of the egg's interior. Here are some detailed steps and tips on how to hold the egg during the candle test:
- Work in a dark or dimly lit room: Before you begin, ensure that you are working in a dark or dimly lit room. Turn off any lights or close the curtains to minimise external light sources. This helps improve visibility when observing the egg.
- Clean your hands: Wash your hands thoroughly before handling the eggs. This is important to minimise the risk of transferring bacteria to the eggs, which can affect the embryo's development.
- Remove eggs one at a time: Take the eggs out of the incubator one by one. Place the egg gently on your candling device or in your hand, being careful not to jolt or shake the egg.
- Hold the egg above the light: Position the egg above the light source, ensuring that the larger end of the egg (where the air sac is) is directly against the light. This is the correct way to hold the egg for accurate inspection.
- Create a seal: If using a handheld light or torch, create a seal by cupping your hand around the base of the egg. This minimises the escape of light and provides a better view of the egg's interior.
- Rotate the egg slightly: Once you have the light in position against the egg, rotate the egg gently to find the best seal and the optimal viewing angle.
- Work quickly and gently: It is important to work efficiently and return the eggs to the incubator within 5 to 30 minutes to avoid affecting the embryo's development. Handle the eggs with care and gentleness to avoid accidental drops.
By following these steps and tips, you can effectively hold the egg during the candle test, allowing for a clear observation of its interior and ensuring the safety and well-being of the developing embryo.
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When to candle the egg
The best time to candle an egg is after seven days of incubation, and again at 14 days. After a week of incubation, you can be reasonably precise about the viability of the embryo. At 14 days, you can remove any eggs with embryos that have died and lessen the risk of a rotten egg exploding. After 14 days, it is not easy to see much inside the egg because the chick takes up a lot of space.
It is a good idea to candle eggs somewhere between Day 5 and Day 7 to see which are developing. By day 3, veins may start to be apparent, and by day 8, you can see the chick wiggling and kicking in its egg.
It is recommended to avoid candling after day 16 or 17. By this stage, the embryos will have developed so much that they will fill the inside of the egg, making it hard to see anything.
It is also advised to candle eggs before putting them in the incubator to get an indication of what an undeveloped egg looks like, which can be useful for comparison later.
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What to look for
When candling an egg, there are several things you should look for to determine its viability. Firstly, veins and blood vessels are important indicators of progress. By day three, you may start seeing hair-like veins spreading through the egg, and by day seven, there should be an increase in the size of the vein web. If you are candling on day eight, you may even see the embryo wiggling and kicking in the egg.
Another thing to look for is the air cell or air pocket. From day seven onwards, you should be able to see the start of the air cell at the blunt end of the egg, and by day 14, the air cell should be visible and expanding. This is a good indicator that the chick is growing well.
To identify a "winner" or viable egg, look for a network of blood vessels that appear white, with a dark outline in the centre, which is the embryo. You may even see the embryo's dark eyes or slight movement, indicating that the egg is developing successfully.
It is also important to check for cracks in the shell, as cracked eggs are more susceptible to harmful bacteria, which can affect the embryo's development. Additionally, double-yolk eggs are common, but they rarely hatch as the space and resources inside the egg are limited.
Finally, keep in mind that the colour of the egg can affect your ability to see inside it. Brown or speckled eggs, for example, can be more difficult to candle as the dark shells do not become as transparent under the light.
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How to avoid accidents
To avoid accidents when candle testing eggs, there are several steps you can take. Firstly, it is important to candle your eggs in a completely dark or very dimly lit room. The darker the room, the better you will be able to see inside the egg. You should also ensure you are using the correct candling equipment. While in the old days, candle testing was done with an actual candle, this method is unstable and risks cooking the egg. Instead, opt for a bright light source, such as a small ultra-bright torch or flashlight, with an opening smaller than the diameter of the eggs. You can also buy specific egg candling devices, which look like small flashlights, at any poultry supply store.
Before you begin, always wash your hands with a good quality medicated hand wash to avoid transmitting any bacteria to the eggs. Additionally, avoid jolting or rough handling of the eggs, as this is a common cause of early embryonic deaths. Instead, handle them gently and place them on a soft surface, such as a towel or blanket, in case they are accidentally dropped.
It is also important to work quickly and efficiently. Eggs should be kept outside the incubator for as little time as possible, ideally no longer than 5-10 minutes, to prevent the heart rate from cooling too much. Finally, to minimise handling time and reduce the risk of dropping or cracking the eggs, consider using a Cool-Lite Tester, which creates a tight seal against the base of the egg.
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Frequently asked questions
Candling is a process to check if an egg is fertile or infertile. It involves examining the contents of an egg by illuminating it with a bright light in a dark room.
You will need a dark room, a bright light source, and the egg. You can use a small ultra-bright torch, a small flashlight, or a specialised egg candling device.
Wash your hands to minimise the risk of transferring bacteria to the eggs. Remove the eggs from the incubator one at a time and work quickly. Place the larger end of the egg against the light source and rotate it slightly to get the best view of the inside of the egg. Look for signs of a "winner" egg, which include a network of blood vessels that appear white, a dark outline at the centre of the blood vessels (the embryo), and possibly the dark eyes of the embryo or slight movement.
It is recommended to candle eggs at regular intervals, ideally between days 5 and 7, and again at days 14 and 18. Avoid candling after day 16 or 17, as the eggs should not be moved or turned in the days leading up to hatching.
