Chloe Adams
Candling is a simple 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. The term candling comes from the traditional practice of using candles, but nowadays, a strong flashlight or a candling machine works just fine. Chicken farmers commonly use candling to identify which eggs are fertile and will hatch into chicks. By observing the presence of a network of blood vessels, a dark spot (embryo), and spider-like veins, one can determine if an egg is fertile.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incubation period | At least 7 days |
| Lighting | Dark room with a bright light source |
| Egg placement | Narrow end of the egg against the light |
| Egg characteristics | Dark spot (embryo) with visible red veins, a visible network of blood vessels |
| Infertile egg characteristics | Clear inside, no veins or dark spots |
| Egg candler | Basic equipment such as a strong flashlight works fine |
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What You'll Learn
Incubate eggs for at least a week before candling
When candling eggs, it is important to wait at least a week after the start of incubation before examining them. This is because it takes time for the embryo to develop, and you will not be able to see any signs of fertility before then. During this time, eggs are protected by a fantastic thing called an egg bloom, which allows them to be kept at room temperature for extended periods.
After a week of incubation, you can place your egg onto an egg candler in a darkened room and turn on the light. You should be able to see shadows from inside the egg. With a weaker candler, you may only be able to see the clear bottom half of the egg (where the air sac is) and the darker top half (where the embryo is developing). However, with a good candler, you might be able to see the dark outline of the embryo at the centre of the network of blood vessels. The embryo's eyes are the darkest spots inside the egg, and you may even see it moving! If you're lucky, you might see the heart beating.
If the egg is fertile, you will see the embryo as a small dark spot, with spider-like veins stretching out around it. These veins supply nutrients to the developing embryo. If you don't see any veins or an air sac, it's likely that the egg isn't developing.
It is worth noting that it will be more difficult to candle brown or speckled eggs, as the dark shells do not become as transparent under the light. Additionally, if you are unsure whether an egg is fertile or not, it is best to leave it alone and check again in a few days rather than risk discarding a healthy egg.
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Shine a bright light into the egg
To shine a bright light into an egg, you will need a strong light source. In the past, people used candles, but nowadays, a bright flashlight or torch works just fine. You can also use a homemade egg candler, which can be made with a desk lamp, a cardboard box, and a bright low-energy lightbulb.
If you are using a flashlight, you need to ensure that the light is concentrated under the egg. You can do this by cupping your hand around the light end, although this method can be inefficient and hard on the eyes. Alternatively, you can build a countertop egg candler using a metal coffee can, a light socket, a piece of cardboard, a piece of toilet paper roll, and a lightbulb. Drill a hole in the side of the can, thread a two-wire electrical cord through it, and attach a plug to the end. Place a standard electrical socket and an eight-sided electrical box inside the can. Cut a hole in the cardboard that is slightly bigger than the can, and tape the two components together. The toilet paper roll will hold the egg in place so you can roll it around to inspect it.
When candling an egg, it is best to do so in a dark room, at night, or in a dark closet. Place the narrow, pointed end of the egg gently against the light. A fertile egg will show a small dark spot (the embryo) with visible red veins branching out and a visible air sac. By day 14, a healthy chick should take up most of the egg, making the interior appear darker with less light passing through. If the egg still looks clear or hasn't changed since the initial candling, the egg is likely non-viable and should be removed.
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Identify a developing embryo by a dark spot and veins
To identify a developing embryo by a dark spot and veins, you must first set up your candling equipment in a dark room. Then, select an egg from the incubator and hold it above the light, ensuring that the larger end of the egg (where the air sac is) is directly against the light. Hold the egg near the top, between your thumb and forefinger, and tilt it slightly to one side. Rotate the egg until you get the best view.
With a weaker candler, you might only be able to see the clear bottom half of the egg (where the air sac is) and the darker top half (where the embryo is developing). With a good candler, you should be able to see a dark spot (the embryo) with red or dark veins branching out and a visible air sac. This network of veins is described as "spider-like" by some sources. The embryo's eyes are the darkest spots inside the egg, and you may even be able to see it moving or catch a glimpse of its heartbeat.
If you don't see veins or an air sac, it's likely that the egg isn't developing. However, it can be difficult to distinguish between a healthy embryo and an egg that has stopped developing early on, as both can exhibit dark patches. If you're unsure, it's best to wait a day or two before trying again.
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Remove non-viable eggs to prevent contamination
It is important to remove non-viable eggs from an incubator to prevent contamination and to ensure that resources are focused on those eggs that have a chance of hatching. Non-viable eggs can become a source of bacteria and fungi, which can spread to other eggs and even hatchlings. It is, therefore, a necessary step in the candling process to identify and remove these eggs.
Candling is a common method used to assess egg fertility and viability. It involves shining a bright light through the egg in a dark room to observe the interior. A fertile egg will show a network of veins and the embryo, which will grow larger over time. Unfertilised or non-viable eggs will not show these signs and will need to be removed.
To prevent contamination, it is recommended to candle eggs in a sterile environment, wearing gloves and using sterile equipment. Any eggs identified as non-viable should be removed from the incubator and disposed of safely. This process should be repeated at regular intervals to catch any eggs that may have deteriorated since the last candling.
The frequency of candling and removal of non-viable eggs will depend on the incubation period of the specific bird species. Depending on the bird species, the incubation period varies, and so will the candling frequency. For example, chicken eggs are typically candled on day 7 and then again on day 14, with non-viable eggs removed at each interval. More frequent candling may be necessary for longer incubation periods or in environments where contamination is a higher risk to prevent any potential harm to viable eggs.
By following these steps and staying vigilant, you can effectively prevent contamination and create a safer environment for the viable eggs and their future hatchlings.
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Brown or speckled eggs are harder to candle
Candling is a process that involves shining a bright light into an egg to illuminate its interior and check for fertility and proper development. It is an essential step in hatching eggs at home, as it helps identify which eggs are fertile and will hatch into baby chicks.
While candling is a straightforward process, it is more challenging with brown or speckled eggs due to their dark shells, which do not become as transparent under the light. As a result, it can be harder to observe the embryo and the spider-like network of blood vessels that indicate proper development.
To overcome this challenge, it is recommended to use the brightest light source available and candle in a dark room to improve visibility. Comparing the candling results of light and dark eggs can also provide a helpful reference point. Additionally, allowing the embryos more time to develop can make it easier to observe their growth, as larger shadows are easier to detect.
It is worth noting that even with these techniques, candling brown or speckled eggs may remain challenging until the later stages of incubation, when the air cell is larger and the embryo is more developed. In some cases, it may be necessary to wait until the shadow is big enough to see movement or until the egg starts to smell, indicating that it is no longer viable.
Overall, while candling brown or speckled eggs can be more difficult, with the right tools, patience, and practice, it is still possible to successfully evaluate their fertility and development.
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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 can candle an egg by holding it up to a bright light source, such as a flashlight, in a dark room. Place the narrow end of the egg gently against the light.
You are looking for signs of a developing embryo. This includes a visible network of blood vessels spreading from the centre of the egg outwards, a dark spot (the embryo), and red or spider-like veins.
It is recommended to candle eggs on days 7 and 14 of incubation. On day 7, you can check for early signs of life, such as a small dark spot (the embryo) and red veins. By day 14, a healthy chick should take up most of the egg, making the interior darker with less light passing through.
An infertile egg will appear clear inside, with no visible veins, dark spots, or blood rings.
