Ben Carter
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. The name comes from the traditional practice of using a candle, but nowadays, a strong flashlight or a specially designed candling device can be used. It is recommended to candle eggs at least three times during their 21-day incubation period, with the first candling occurring around 6-8 days after the eggs are placed in the incubator. The second candling occurs around day 14, and the final candling takes place around day 18, known as 'lockdown day', just before the chicks hatch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is candling? | A method to check if an egg is fertile and developing properly |
| How is it done? | Shine a bright light through the egg to see what's inside without cracking it open |
| When to candle? | Day 6-8, Day 7, Day 10, Day 14, Day 18 |
| How many times? | 2-3 times, some sources say more frequent candling is fine |
| What to look for? | Dark shape, spider-like veins, darker interior, continued movement |
| Infertile egg | Clear inside, no veins or dark spots |
| Fertile egg | Dark spot (embryo) with visible red veins |
| Unviable egg | No change by Day 14 |
| Air cell development | Monitor to ensure eggs are losing the appropriate amount of weight |
| Egg weight | Monitor to ensure proper humidity levels |
| Egg colour | Brown eggs need to be checked for development later than white eggs |
| Room | Dark room at night with less light pollution |
| Position | Candle from the air cell (rounded end of the egg) |
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What You'll Learn
How to candle chicken eggs
Candling is a simple 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. The term “candling” comes from the old-school practice of using candles, but today, a strong flashlight works just fine.
- Prepare your workspace: Choose a dark room or closet with minimal light pollution. You will also need a bright light source, such as a flashlight or a specialised candling device like the Cool-Lite Tester from GQF Manufacturing.
- Handle the eggs with care: Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling the eggs. Oil from your fingers can clog the pores in the eggshell, restricting oxygen flow to the embryo.
- Position the egg: Place the narrow, rounded, or air-cell end of the egg gently against the light source. While it is possible to candle from the side or the pointed end, the rounded end provides the best view of the egg's interior.
- Observe the contents: Look for indicators of normal development, such as veins and blood vessels that grow and spread over time. From day 6 to day 7, a fertile 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, resulting in a darker interior with less light passing through.
- Identify potential issues: Infertile eggs will appear clear with no veins or dark spots. If an egg hasn't changed since the previous candling session, it may indicate halted development. Additionally, perform "the sniff test" to identify any foul odours or oozing, which could signify bacterial overgrowth.
- Record and act on your findings: Number each egg and jot down your observations. Remove any non-viable or unhealthy eggs from the incubator to prevent contamination and potential harm to the developing embryos.
It is recommended to candle chicken eggs at least twice during the 21-day incubation period: once on day 7 to check for early signs of life, and again on day 14 to assess the chick's growth. However, some sources suggest candling up to three times or even daily after day 3, as it can provide valuable insights into the intricate process of embryo development.
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When to candle during incubation
Candling is the act of shining a bright light through an egg to see what's going on inside without cracking it open. The term comes from the old practice of using candles, but today, a strong flashlight or a specialised tool like the Cool-Lite Tester from GQF Manufacturing can be used.
During incubation, candling can be done at various times to check on the development of the embryo. It is recommended to candle eggs at least three times during the 21-day incubation period to monitor the development of the air cell and to discard any non-viable eggs.
The first candling should take place before placing the eggs in the incubator to establish a baseline for comparison. The next candling takes place 6 to 10 days after the eggs are placed in the incubator. This timing can vary slightly based on the breed and colour of the eggs, as darker shells require a brighter light to see inside, and brown eggs need to be checked for development later than white eggs.
The third candling typically occurs about a week after the second candling, or around Day 14. By this time, a healthy chick should take up most of the egg, making the interior appear darker with less light passing through, and continued movement should be visible. If the egg still appears clear or hasn't changed since Day 7, it is likely non-viable and should be removed.
Some sources suggest an additional candling around Day 18, when the embryo has developed into a chick and will take up most of the space in the egg. At this point, egg-turning can be stopped, and the chick will position itself for hatching.
It is generally advised to avoid candling during the first and last few days of incubation, as it is difficult to see much during these periods, and frequent disruptions can cause temperature fluctuations that are harmful to the embryos.
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What to look for when candling
Candling is a simple 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. The process is usually carried out in a dark room, with the light source held up to the narrow or rounded end of the egg.
On day 3, veins may start to be apparent, and by day 6 or day 7, a fertile 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, making the interior darker with less light passing through. If the egg still looks clear or hasn't changed since day 7, it is likely not viable and should be removed.
It is important to note that brown eggs need to be checked for development later than white eggs because it is more difficult to see inside the darker shell. Additionally, some eggs, such as Marans, can be challenging to candle due to the darkness of the shell. In such cases, angling the light just right in a completely dark room may help. If all else fails, a "sniff test" can be performed to detect any foul odours or oozing, indicating bacterial overgrowth.
Other signs of an egg gone bad include a vague ring inside the egg, a distinct blood spot with little or no veins, and a lack of development compared to the rest of the eggs in the hatch. It is crucial to remove non-viable eggs from the incubator to prevent them from rotting and exploding, which can expose healthy embryos to bacteria and disease.
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How to build a candler on a budget
Candling is a simple 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 inside without cracking it open. The term "candling" comes from the traditional practice of using candles, but today, a strong flashlight or a light bulb works just fine.
To build a candler on a budget, you'll need the following parts, most of which can be purchased from hardware stores like Lowe's and Hobby Lobby:
- One-gallon paint can with a lid (a metal can with a tight-fitting lid, such as a candy container or a coffee can, will also work)
- One rubber cup toilet bowl plunger
- One plastic utility light fixture base
- One power cord
- One 200-watt bulb (a small high-wattage spotlight-style bulb will work well)
- One stick of hot glue
- One 1/4" drill bit
- Electrical tape
- Pencil
- One screw driver matching screw heads
- Two 1/2" wood screws
- One swath of felt
Here's how to assemble your candler:
- Position the light fixture inside the can.
- Punch a few mounting holes in the bottom of the can.
- Secure the fixture in place with the two 1/2" wood screws. Make sure the screws penetrate the metal bottom and drive into the wood without coming through.
- Make an opening in the bottom of the can for the light's electric cord.
- Attach an electric plug to the free end of the cord.
- Add an in-line switch to the cord for convenience.
- Cut a 1 1/2" diameter hole in the lid to create a "porthole" for illuminating the eggs.
- Glue a 2 1/4" diameter cork gasket around the opening to prevent eggs from cracking if they bump the can.
- Secure the lid onto the can.
- Plug in your candler and you're ready to start candling!
Candling Tips:
- Always darken the room when candling for better visibility.
- Gently roll the egg on the candler to get the best view.
- Wash your hands before and after handling eggs to ensure you aren't introducing bacteria or oils that could harm the embryo.
- Avoid frequent candling, as temperature fluctuations can be harmful to the embryos.
- The ideal candling times are before placing eggs in the incubator, 6-8 days after incubation, and about a week later.
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How to prevent eggs from exploding
To prevent eggs from exploding, it is important to identify and remove non-viable eggs (infertile or dead embryos) during the incubation process. Rotten eggs can explode, contaminating other eggs with bacteria and creating a foul smell. Here are some tips to prevent eggs from exploding:
Candling
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 observe its contents without cracking it open. The traditional method used a candle, but today, a strong flashlight or specialised equipment like the Cool-Lite Tester can be used.
Timing of Candling
The first candling should occur before placing the eggs in the incubator to establish a baseline. The next candling is typically done 6-8 days after incubation. Brown eggs may require a slightly longer wait, as it is more challenging to see inside their darker shells. The final candling occurs about a week later, around day 14, to identify any non-viable eggs.
Identifying Non-Viable Eggs
- Infertile Eggs: These will appear clear, without any dark spots, veins, or blood vessels.
- Quitters (Dead Embryos): The main indication is the presence of a blood ring, a well-defined red circle that forms when the embryo dies and the blood vessels pull away from the centre. Other signs include blood spots or streaks inside the egg.
- Yolkers (Unfertilised Eggs): These eggs remain unchanged since the initial candling, appearing clear without any dark spots, blood vessels, or blood rings.
Handling and Hygiene
Handle the eggs gently and minimise the frequency of removing them from the incubator to avoid temperature fluctuations that can harm the embryos. Always wash your hands before and after handling eggs to prevent the transfer of bacteria.
Additional Tips
- Work quickly but carefully during candling to prevent dropping the eggs.
- Return the eggs to the incubator within 20-30 minutes to avoid affecting their development.
- Avoid candling after day 16 or 17, as the eggs should not be moved or turned in the final days before hatching.
- Use the "sniff test" to detect any foul odours, and remove stinky eggs immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
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.
It is recommended to candle chicken eggs at least three times: before placing them in the incubator, 6-8 days after incubation, and finally, about a week later. The first candling helps establish a baseline to compare against later. The second candling allows you to monitor the air cell size and egg weight, and the final candling helps identify any eggs that stopped developing.
To candle chicken eggs, use a bright light source in a dark room. Place the narrow or rounded end of the egg gently against the light. You can use a candle, a flashlight, or a desk lamp inside a cardboard box with a small hole for the egg.
When candling, a fertile 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, making the interior darker with less light passing through. Infertile eggs will be clear inside with no veins or dark spots.
