Chloe Adams
Candling is a technique used to assess the development of chicken eggs during incubation. It involves shining a bright light against the shell to observe the interior without causing any harm to the egg. The process gets its name from the traditional use of candles, but modern candlers use electric lights that do not produce heat. By candling eggs, individuals can determine the fertility and viability of the embryos, helping to manage the hatching process more effectively. This guide will explore the key indicators to look for when candling chicken eggs at different stages of incubation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Day 6-7 | A small dark spot (the embryo) with red veins branching out and a visible air sac. If the egg is infertile, it will look clear with no dark spot or blood vessels. |
| Day 7 | Check for early signs of life. If veins or an air sac are not visible, the egg is likely not developing. |
| Day 13-14 | The egg space is more than half-filled by the embryo, and light doesn’t penetrate the dark area. |
| Day 14 | By now, a healthy chick should take up most of the egg. Look for a darker interior, less light passing through and continued movement. If it still looks clear or hasn’t changed since Day 7, the egg likely isn’t viable and should be removed. |
| Day 18-19 | The yolk sac is gradually being drawn into the embryo’s body, providing nutrients that the chick will need upon hatching. |
| Day 20-21 | A membrane is visible all the way around the embryo. |
| Humidity | If the air sack is too small, the incubation humidity is too high. If the air sack is too big, the incubator humidity is too low. |
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What You'll Learn
Day 7: Check for early signs of life
Day 7 is a crucial time to candle chicken eggs and check for early signs of life. By this time, the embryo's organs have formed, and a tiny beak is beginning to take shape. The heart, which initially formed outside the body, moves inside on this day. The embryo's weight for a heavy-breed chicken is 0.002 grams, and its eyes are developing.
When candling on day 7, look for a small dark spot, which indicates the embryo, with red veins branching out and a visible air sac. You might even see some movement! If you don't observe veins or an air sac, the egg might not be developing. It is important to note that candling can be challenging, and it takes practice to identify the veins and embryo.
Candling is a simple method used to determine if an egg is fertile and developing properly. It is an essential part of the incubation process, helping identify micro-cracks in the shell that could lead to embryo contamination. It is generally recommended to candle no more than two or three times: once before incubation, on day 7 to check for development, and on day 18 to ensure only viable eggs are in the hatcher.
While some people candle on days 7, 14, and 18, others suggest that candling on days 10 and 18 results in the best hatch rates. It is important not to candle after day 18, as the chicks are positioning themselves for hatching and should not be disturbed. Additionally, the lid should remain closed to maintain the necessary humidity for the eggs to rotate freely.
After incubating the eggs, if you have doubts about their appearance, leave them for a couple of days and try candling again. Over time, you will become better at identifying the veins and embryo, allowing you to determine which eggs are viable.
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Day 14: Remove eggs with non-viable embryos
On day 14, a healthy chick will take up most of the egg. The interior of the egg will be darker, with less light passing through, and you may still see some movement. The embryo is fully formed and will be moving into position, ready for hatching. The egg will be getting full, and it will be harder to see inside. Try looking from both ends of the egg.
By day 14, the original tiny blob will have doubled its weight over 15 times, reaching around 7.39 grams. The claws are developing, and the embryo is moving into position, ready for hatching. Candling will reveal that the egg space is more than half-filled by the embryo, and light doesn’t penetrate the dark area.
If you are candling eggs on day 14, it is a good idea to remove any eggs with non-viable embryos. You can identify non-viable eggs by looking for the following: the egg will look clear with no dark spot or blood vessels. If you don't see veins or an air sac, the egg isn’t developing.
It is generally recommended not to candle an egg more than two or three times: once before placing it into the incubator, at seven days to check for development, and at 18 days to ensure only viable eggs go into the hatcher. However, some people candle as frequently as days 7, 14, and 18, and others candle daily up to day 16 or 17. It is important to note that candling should be stopped after day 18, as days 19-21 are when the chicks are positioning themselves for the hatch and should not be jostled.
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Humidity and temperature control
Candling is a method used to check if a chicken egg is fertile and developing properly. It involves shining a bright light through the egg to see what's going on inside without cracking it open.
Higher temperatures increase the rate of evaporation, which is the process by which water changes from a liquid to a gas. This evaporation can cause moisture condensation on the eggshell, leading to potential disease and reduced hatch rates. Therefore, it is critical to control humidity to prevent unnecessary egg moisture loss.
The ideal humidity level for hatching eggs is debated, with some sources stating it should not fall below 25% or exceed 60% before hatching. In contrast, others recommend 45-50% for days 1-18 and 65% for the last few days. During the final three days, the "lockdown" period, humidity should be increased to 70-80%.
To confirm the humidity, monitor the air sac size. If the air sac is too small, the humidity is too high, and if it is too big, the humidity is too low.
Maintaining the correct humidity and temperature can be challenging, and even incubators with automatic humidity control can fluctuate. Tools such as the SwitchBot Sensor and SensorPush technology can help monitor and manage these conditions.
Additionally, it is important to note that the number of eggs in the incubator can impact the time it takes to reach and stabilize the desired temperature.
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How to build an egg candler
When candled, a developing chicken egg will show a small dark spot (the embryo) with red veins branching out and a visible air sac. You might even see a little movement! If you don’t see veins or an air sac, it’s likely that the egg isn’t developing.
To build a simple egg candler, you can use a desk lamp with a bright, low-energy light bulb or a modern LED torch that does not give off much heat. Place the light source inside a cardboard box and cut a small, round hole in the top of the box, just big enough for the pointed end of your egg. Alternatively, you can use a metal can with a lid and an ordinary light fixture. Punch a few mounting holes in the bottom of the can and secure the fixture with nuts and bolts. Make another opening in the bottom for the light's electric cord and attach an electric plug and an in-line switch to the cord for convenience. Cut a porthole in the lid of the can to illuminate the eggs and prevent cracking by gluing a cork gasket around the opening. Add four legs to the side of the candler to allow for horizontal viewing.
When using your homemade egg candler, be sure to candle in a dark room for the best results. Gently roll the egg on the candler to get the best view and check for signs of fertility or freshness. A fresh egg will have an air space of 1/8″ or less and a yolk that is free of foreign particles, blood rings, large spots, and other defects.
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What to look for when candling
Candling involves shining a bright light against the shell of an egg to observe the interior. Originally, candles were used for this process, but contemporary versions are brighter and do not heat up the egg, preventing any damage.
Day 6-7
On Day 6 or 7, a fertile egg will show a small dark spot (the embryo) with red veins branching out and a visible air sac. If you do not see veins or an air sac, the egg is likely not developing. By Day 7, if eggs haven't developed an embryo, they should be removed from the incubator.
Day 14
By Day 14, a healthy chick should take up most of the egg. Look for a darker interior, less light passing through, and continued movement. If it still looks clear or hasn't changed since Day 7, the egg likely isn't viable and should be removed.
Day 18-19
The yolk sac is gradually drawn into the embryo's body, providing nutrients for the chick upon hatching.
Day 20-21
By Day 20-21, there is a membrane around the embryo. By Day 21, you may notice some internal "pipping," where the embryo uses its beak to poke through the membrane and breathes the air in the air sac.
Other Observations
- If you see a fairly thick red 'blood line,' it indicates that the embryo has died.
- If the egg is infertile, it will look clear without any dark spots or blood vessels.
- Dark-shelled eggs are more difficult to candle, even in a darkened room.
- If the air sac is too small, the incubation humidity is too high, and if it is too big, the humidity is too low.
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Frequently asked questions
On day 7, a fertilized egg will show a small dark spot (the embryo) with red veins branching out and a visible air sac.
By day 14, a healthy chick should take up most of the egg. Look for a darker interior, less light passing through and continued movement.
This indicates that the embryo has died.
An infertile egg will look clear with no dark spot or blood vessels.
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