Brooke Martin
Candling is the process of shining a bright light through an egg to observe its internal contents and embryo development. It is typically performed at various points during the incubation process, such as around day 5-7, day 9-10, and closer to the day of transfer to the hatcher. The practice offers valuable insights into embryo development, allowing observers to identify infertile eggs, detect early mortality, and assess the formation of vital structures and organ systems. To candle eggs effectively, it is important to maintain proper hygiene, handle the eggs gently, and avoid disrupting the incubation process unnecessarily.
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What You'll Learn
Indicators of progress: veins, blood vessels, embryo movement
Candling is a process used to assess the fertility and development of eggs during the incubation period. It involves shining a bright light through an egg's shell to observe its internal contents. This method allows for the identification of infertile eggs and those with early embryo deaths, which can be removed to prevent contamination and optimise incubator space.
When candling eggs, indicators of progress include the presence and growth of veins and blood vessels. Typically, veins may start to appear as early as day 3 of incubation. By day 7, spider-like veins can be observed, along with the embryo, although the visibility may be cloudy, indicating a potential early death. At this stage, the embryo has a higher chance of being up against the shell, making it easier to see and, occasionally, allowing for the observation of movement or even a heartbeat.
By day 8, the embryo becomes more active, and you can typically see the chick wiggling and kicking inside the egg. The air pocket in the egg should gradually increase in size, and the egg will darken as the chick grows and fills the space.
From day 9 to day 14, the embryo is fully formed and starts to take up most of the space inside the shell. The veins and blood vessels become more visible beneath the chick, and the yolk sack is now very red and filled with blood vessels. However, the embryo is less active during this period, so movement is less likely to be observed. It is also recommended to avoid candling during the last few days of incubation, as it can disrupt embryo movement and positioning for hatching.
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Day 7: Clear egg, no development
On day 7, a clear egg indicates that the egg is infertile and will not develop further. The egg yolk will be floating and visible as a darker area towards the top of the egg before the air sac. This is considered "early embryonic death" or "early death", which can occur when the embryo starts to develop but dies within the first week.
Clear eggs are unfertilized or non-viable for development due to various factors such as age, temperature, nutrient deficiencies, or disease. It is recommended to remove these eggs from the incubator and discard them.
Candling on day 7 helps determine the viability of the embryo. While it is expected to see either fertile or clear eggs, occasionally, an embryo may start to develop and then die. This early embryonic death is characterized by a thin ring around the inside of the egg, which can be challenging to identify, especially if only the embryo is cloudy. If unsure, it is advisable to wait until day 14 for a more definite assessment.
It is worth noting that the critical period for embryo development is during the first few days, so it is generally recommended to avoid disturbing the eggs during this time. However, some sources suggest that candling chicken and duck eggs after 7 days of incubation is appropriate, as it provides a more precise evaluation of the embryo's viability.
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Day 7: Early death of the embryo
On day 7 of candling, it is possible to identify an egg that has undergone early embryonic death. This is also known as a "quitter". The egg will show a thin ring around the inside, indicating that the embryo died within a couple of hours of the start of incubation. These eggs should be removed from the incubator.
Another possible indicator of early death is a cloudy appearance. The embryo and spider-like veins may be visible, but the contents of the egg are cloudy and moving around. This indicates that the embryo has died within the first week of incubation. However, it can be challenging to identify these eggs, especially if only the embryo is cloudy. In such cases, it is advisable to wait until day 14, when it becomes easier to identify.
It is important to handle the eggs with care, as rough handling is a common cause of early embryonic death. Other causes include incorrect storage, adverse genetic traits, and ageing of the breeder flock. Dirty eggs can also lead to embryonic death due to bacterial contamination.
To prevent disturbing the delicate blood vessels and embryo, it is recommended to avoid bumping or jostling the eggs during the early days of incubation. When candling, it is crucial to avoid keeping the incubator lid open for more than 10 minutes to prevent overchilling the eggs. Additionally, clean hands or gloves should be used to prevent the transfer of skin oils or germs to the developing embryo.
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Day 5-7: First candling to see which eggs are developing
Candling chicken eggs is a way to see if the eggs are fertile and will hatch into baby chicks. It is also used to monitor the fertilized egg to see if it has stopped developing. The process involves lighting the interior of an egg to see what is inside the shell. The term 'egg candling' comes from the past when people used candles for light. Poultry breeders would place a candle inside a wooden box with a hole big enough to allow light to shine through the egg. Modern candling devices are powered by batteries or mains electricity and use LED lights that do not give off heat.
The first candling should take place between days 5 and 7 of incubation. On day 5, the embryos' reproductive organs are formed, and you can see a lot of veining and the air sac at the large end of the egg. You may also see the shadow of the embryo and a little movement. By day 7, the embryo's organs have all formed, and a tiny beak is beginning to take shape. The heart, which initially formed outside the body, moves inside the body on this day. You can clearly see the veins, and the embryo's eyeball can be seen as a dark spot.
When candling eggs, it is important to avoid bumping or jostling them, especially during the early days when delicate blood vessels are still developing. Eggs can be out of the incubator for up to 30 minutes but should be returned as soon as possible to maintain the appropriate temperature. It is also crucial to ensure that your hands are clean and dry to prevent transferring bacteria to the eggs and to avoid clogging the pores in the eggshell, which could deprive the embryo of oxygen.
Candling eggs on days 5 and 7 can provide valuable insights into the intricate process of embryo development. It allows you to identify and remove non-viable eggs, freeing up space in your incubator. By day 7, you can reasonably determine the viability of the embryo and remove any eggs that are not developing to avoid the risk of them exploding or developing bacteria.
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Day 9-10: Re-candling to check for viability
Day 9-10 is a critical period for re-candling eggs to ensure the highest possible hatch rates and healthy chicks. At this stage, the structures around the embryo's eye continue to develop, including the eyelids. The comb, a fleshy growth on the top of a chicken's head, also becomes large enough to be visible. The feather buds are beginning to grow, and you may be able to see three little rows of feather cones on the tail if you could observe the embryo.
To candle the eggs, you will need a bright light source, such as a candler, which can be hand-held or placed on a flat surface. Place the large end of the egg, where the air cell is, against the light source. This will allow you to observe the internal contents of the egg. Look for the air sac at the bottom, which will appear as a bright space. Above that, if the egg is fertilized, you should see a network of veins extending from a dark blob near the centre of the egg.
During this period, it is essential to remove any unfertilized or non-viable eggs, known as "clears," from the incubator. These eggs will not have the network of veins or the dark blob. Additionally, if you notice a dark spot that is significantly smaller than the rest of the developing eggs, it may indicate a dead embryo, and these eggs should also be removed.
While candling on day 9 or 10 can provide valuable information about the eggs' viability, it is important to minimize disruptions to the incubator and avoid excessive handling of the eggs. Remember that the potential for candling errors can be reduced by conducting the examination during this period, as it is less likely to interfere with delicate blood vessel development compared to earlier stages.
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Frequently asked questions
Egg candling is the process of shining a bright light through an eggshell to observe the internal contents of the egg. This allows people to assess the fertility and development of eggs, particularly during the incubation period.
Egg candling can be performed at various points during the incubation process, such as around day 5-7, day 9-10, and closer to the day of transfer to the hatcher. It is not recommended to candle hatching eggs between days 11 and 14 of incubation, as this disrupts embryo movement.
When candling eggs, you can look for signs of fertility and viability, such as the presence of a developing embryo, blood veins, and the size of the air cell. Clear eggs with zero development or dark spots that are smaller than the rest of the developing eggs indicate non-viable eggs that should be removed.
