Ben Carter
Candling is the process of shining a light through an eggshell to observe the internal contents of an egg. This is done to assess the fertility and development of eggs, particularly during the incubation period. It is typically performed at various points during the incubation process, such as around day 5-6, day 7, day 9-10, day 14, and sometimes closer to the day of transfer to the hatcher. The process can be done with a basic flashlight or specialized equipment, and it is important to not keep the eggs out of the incubator for too long. By candling eggs, you can remove any non-viable eggs, preventing them from rotting and exploding in the incubator.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incubation Period | 21 days |
| First Candling | Day 3 or 5-6 |
| Subsequent Candling | Day 7, 8, 9-10, 14, 18 |
| Candling Interval | Every day |
| Candling Time | Up to 5-10 minutes or 30 minutes per egg |
| Candling Equipment | Flashlight, egg candler, candling table, automatic candling equipment |
| Egg Handling | Avoid jostling the egg, clean and dry hands, wash hands |
| Egg Marking | Number eggs with a pencil |
| Egg Turning | Stop at day 18 |
| Egg Viability | Spider-like veins, embryo, blood vessels, air sac size, dark area |
| Egg Infertility | Clear, no visible structures or dark areas, distinct blood spot with little or no veins |
| Egg Death | Ring of red, broken or leaking eggs |
| Egg Humidity | Correct average humidity of 45% |
| Egg Storage | Larger end of the egg facing up |
| Egg Temperature | 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Egg Hatching Time | 5-7 hours or up to 24 hours |
| Brooder Temperature | 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit |
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What You'll Learn
Optimal timing for candling
The optimal timing for candling incubated chicken eggs varies depending on the stage of development and the purpose of candling. Candling is typically performed at various points during the 21-day incubation process, such as around days 5-6, 7, 9-10, 14, and sometimes closer to the day of transfer to the hatcher.
For fertility assessment and early mortality detection, candling can be done as early as day 5 or 6 of incubation. However, this early inspection method can be time-consuming and carries a higher risk of errors, such as accidentally removing viable eggs. To minimize the potential for candling errors, it is recommended to conduct a more comprehensive examination on day 9 or 10. At this stage, the eggs are more developed, and the risk of error is reduced.
For the best indicators of progress, candling should be done after day 3 when veins and blood vessels become visible and continue to grow and spread. By day 7, spider-like veins and the embryo are typically easy to see. By day 8, you may even see the embryo wiggling and kicking in the egg.
It is recommended to candle again at day 14 to check for viability and remove any non-developing eggs to prevent them from rotting and exploding in the incubator. However, it is important to avoid candling during the last few days of incubation, as it can disturb the chick's final positioning before hatching.
Additionally, if there are still unhatched eggs at day 21, it is advisable to candle them to check for viability before discarding. Overall, candling at various stages of incubation can provide valuable insights into fertility, embryo development, and hatchery efficiency, allowing for necessary adjustments and improvements.
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What to look for when candling
When candling incubated chicken eggs, there are several key things to look out for to assess the embryo's development and viability. Firstly, it is important to candle eggs at the right time. The critical period for embryo development is the first few days, so it is advisable to leave the eggs undisturbed during this time. After a week of incubation, you can examine the eggs more closely. At this stage, veins and blood vessels should be visible, indicating a healthy embryo. These blood vessels are typically observable within 7 to 10 days of incubation and appear as "spider-like veins".
On day 8, you may even see the embryo wiggling and kicking inside the egg. As the incubation progresses, the air pocket or air sac in the egg should gradually increase in size, and the egg will appear darker as it fills with the growing bird. By day 14, you can check for non-viable embryos and remove them to reduce the risk of rotten eggs exploding. However, after two weeks, it becomes more challenging to see inside the egg as the chick takes up most of the space.
If you notice a distinct blood spot with little or no veins, it could indicate an issue with the embryo's development. Compare the progress of individual eggs to the overall batch to identify any that are lagging. It is also important to monitor the size of the air sac to ensure correct humidity levels. If the air sac is too small, the humidity is too high, and if it's too big, the humidity is too low.
Finally, pay attention to the colour and clarity of the egg's interior. If the inside of the egg is clear and free from visible structures or dark areas, it indicates infertility or early embryo death. A ring of red within the egg also signifies that the embryo has died. A healthy embryo will exhibit visible blood vessels and a dark area within the egg, indicating the growing chick.
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How to candle effectively
Candling incubated chicken eggs is an exciting process that lets you see your chicks grow before they hatch. It involves shining a bright light through the egg to look at its inside. Here are some tips on how to candle effectively:
Timing
The best time to candle chicken eggs is after 7 days of incubation and again at 14 days. By day 7, you can see the embryo and spider-like veins, which indicate that the egg is fertile. At this stage, you may also see cloudy veins, which could indicate possible early death. By day 14, the embryo has developed further, and it takes up a lot of space inside the egg. This makes it harder to see much inside the egg, but you can still check for viability and remove any eggs with embryos that have died to prevent them from exploding.
Some sources suggest candling again at 18 days, but this is not recommended as the chick is positioning itself to hatch, and there isn't much to see other than the increasing air sac size. However, if you suspect hatching problems due to incorrect incubation humidity, you can compare the air sac size of your eggs with that of a known good egg.
Equipment
The simplest way to candle an egg is with a basic flashlight. Modern LED torches that do not give off much heat are also an excellent choice. If you're on a budget, you can build your own egg candler by placing a bright low-energy light bulb inside a cardboard box with a small hole at the top, just big enough for the pointed end of the egg.
Procedure
- Turn off the room lights and use a torch to navigate if needed.
- Take the eggs out of the incubator one at a time, being very gentle and avoiding jolting them.
- Always candle with the pointed end of the egg facing downwards.
- Return the eggs to the incubator as soon as possible after candling, ideally within 5-10 minutes, to prevent the heart rate from cooling down.
- During candling, look for the embryo, spider-like veins, the air cell, and any cracks in the shell.
- If the inside of the egg is clear and free from visible structures or dark areas, it is infertile or the embryo died very early, and you should remove it from the incubator.
- If you see a ring of red, it means the embryo died at some point, and you should discard the egg.
- If you see blood vessels within the egg, there is a live embryo inside.
- Mark your eggs with a soft pencil to monitor their progress and compare the air sac size with known good eggs to check for correct humidity levels.
By following these steps, you can effectively candle incubated chicken eggs and ensure the healthy development of your embryos.
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What to do after candling
Candling chicken eggs is an exciting way to observe the embryo's development. However, it is crucial to handle the eggs with care to avoid disturbing the incubation process. Here is a step-by-step guide on what to do after candling incubated chicken eggs:
Day 5 to Day 7:
Candling eggs within this timeframe is ideal for checking early embryo development. After candling, mark any eggs that do not show signs of development. This initial candling helps identify non-viable eggs, reducing the risk of leaving bad eggs in the incubator.
Day 10:
Recandle the eggs marked as potentially non-viable. If they show no signs of development, remove them from the incubator. While it is a difficult task, it is necessary to maintain a healthy environment for the developing embryos.
Day 14:
At this stage, the embryos should be more visible, and you may even see the chick's foot or blood vessels near the shell. If any eggs show signs of non-development or embryo death, it is crucial to remove them from the incubator to prevent the risk of a rotten egg exploding and contaminating the entire hatch.
Day 18:
By day 18, the embryo takes up most of the egg, and you may observe movement inside. This is the critical stage before lockdown. Candle all your eggs to ensure none have died. If any show signs of non-development, remove them immediately. Maintain a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit and increase humidity to 70% to prepare for hatching.
Day 21:
Chicks typically hatch around day 21. However, if there are still unhatched eggs, give them until day 23, as timing or temperature variations may have occurred. Candle any unhatched eggs to check for viability before discarding them.
Remember, it is essential to practice proper hygiene when candling, such as washing your hands before and after, to avoid contamination. Additionally, always handle the eggs gently and minimize the time they are outside the incubator to prevent disturbing the embryos' development.
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How to build your own egg candler
To build your own egg candler, you will need a good-sized metal can with a lid, an ordinary light fixture, a few small nuts and bolts, an electric cord, an electric plug, an in-line switch, and four legs.
Firstly, punch a few mounting holes in the bottom of the can and secure the light fixture in place with the nuts and bolts. Make another opening in the bottom of the can for the electric cord, and attach a plug to the free end of the wire. For convenience, you can add an in-line switch to the cord. To create a "porthole" for illuminating the eggs, cut a circular hole in the container's lid, and glue a cork gasket around the opening to prevent any eggs from cracking if they accidentally bump into the can. Finally, attach four legs to the side of the candler to allow for horizontal viewing.
Alternatively, you can use a desk lamp with a bright, low-energy lightbulb 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, just big enough for the pointed end of the egg.
Candling of eggs is typically done between 7 to 14 days of incubation. It is not recommended to candle during the first few days of incubation as it is hard to see anything, and the embryo is not yet developed. After 14 days, it becomes difficult to see inside the egg as the chick takes up most of the space.
During candling, darken the room to improve visibility. Gently roll the egg on the candler to get the best view. A fertile, hatchable egg will have a fine network of veins running out from a dark centre. If the inside of the egg is clear of any visible structures or dark areas, the egg is infertile, or the embryo died very early. If a ring of red is visible, the embryo has died. Blood vessels in chicken eggs are typically observable within 7 to 10 days of incubation.
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Frequently asked questions
Candling is the process of shining a light source through an egg to observe its internal contents. This allows you to assess the fertility and development of the egg.
Candling can be done as early as day 5 or 6 of incubation, and then again at days 7 and 14. Some sources suggest candling at days 9 or 10, and even up to day 18. It is not recommended to candle during the last few days of incubation as the chick is moving into position to hatch.
You can candle your eggs every day if you wish, but it is important to minimise handling and disturbance of the eggs, especially during the early days of incubation.
Start by washing your hands and turning off the lights. Carefully remove the eggs from the incubator, being careful not to jostle them. Hold a bright light source, such as a flashlight or egg candler, to the pointed end of the egg at a slight angle to illuminate the inside.
If the inside of the egg is clear and free from visible structures or dark areas, the egg is likely infertile or the embryo died early. If you see a ring of red, the embryo has died. If you see blood vessels, there is a live embryo inside.
