Brooke Martin
Candling is the process of shining a bright light into an egg to see its contents and check for fertility and development. The term comes from the past when people used candles to shine light into eggs. The process is simple: an egg is held above a light source, usually with the larger end of the egg placed directly against the light. This allows for a clear view of the inside of the egg. Candling is typically done in a dark room, and eggs should not be out of the incubator for more than 30 minutes. It is recommended to candle eggs at least three times during incubation to monitor development and discard non-viable eggs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times to candle an egg | Typically, eggs should be candled up to three times. |
| Timing | It is recommended to candle eggs on days 7 and 14. |
| Room | The candling should be done in a dark room. |
| Light | A bright light source is required for candling. |
| Egg placement | The larger end of the egg should be placed against the light. |
| Egg movement | The egg should be tilted slightly to one side and rotated until the best view is obtained. |
| Egg marking | Mark each egg with a number and take notes on your findings. |
| Egg return | The eggs should be returned to the incubator within 20-30 minutes. |
| Egg colour | Dark-shelled eggs are harder to see through. |
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What You'll Learn
Candling an egg to check if it's fertile or infertile
Candling is a technique used to check if an egg is fertile and developing properly. It involves illuminating the interior of an egg to observe its internal contents without cracking it open. The process gets its name from the traditional method of using a candle as a light source, although nowadays, a strong flashlight or a small, powerful LED light is typically used.
To candle an egg, set up your equipment in a dark room close to the incubator. A bright light source with an opening smaller than the diameter of the eggs is ideal. When you're ready, select an egg from the incubator and hold it above the light. It is recommended to place the larger end of the egg (where the air sac is) directly against the light, holding it near the top, between your thumb and forefinger. Tilt the egg slightly to one side and rotate it until you get a clear view of the inside.
When candling an egg to check for fertility, look for the following indicators:
- A fertile egg typically shows a small dark spot, which is the embryo, with red veins branching out and a visible air sac. You may even observe slight movement.
- By day 7 of incubation, a viable, fertile egg will have an embryo in the middle, and spider-like veins stretching out into the yolk, supplying nutrients.
- By day 14, a fertile egg will be mostly dark, with less visible light passing through, indicating that the chick is growing and filling up the space.
- If you see a well-defined red circle inside the shell, this is a blood ring, indicating that the embryo has died.
It is important to note that candling requires practice, and it may be challenging to identify the signs initially. Comparing findings between subsequent candling sessions can help track the progress of the eggs' development.
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How to candle an egg without damaging the embryo
Candling an egg is a process that involves shining a bright light into the egg to see its contents and check whether it is developing properly. It is a good practice to keep track of how the eggs are developing, but this can be difficult without candling. The process gets its name from the past when people used candles for light.
To candle an egg without damaging the embryo, you should maintain the temperature of the egg. Don't keep eggs out of the incubator for longer than necessary, and don't overheat the egg if using an egg candler with a bulb. Modern LED versions do not give off heat and are a better option.
You can build your own egg candler by placing a desk lamp (with a bright low-energy lightbulb) inside a cardboard box. Cut a small, round hole in the top of the box, just big enough for the pointed end of your egg. Alternatively, use an LED torch, which does not give off much heat.
It is recommended to candle eggs after seven days of incubation and again at 14 days. Avoid candling after day 16 or 17, as the eggs should not be moved or turned in the days leading up to the hatching.
When candling, place the larger end of the egg (where the air sac is) directly against the light. Hold the egg near the top, between your thumb and forefinger. Tilt the egg slightly to one side and rotate it until you get the best view.
Look for a visible network of blood vessels spreading from the centre of the egg outwards. This is a sign that the embryo is developing properly. 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. You may even see the embryo moving!
If you see a well-defined red circle inside the shell, this is a blood ring, indicating that the embryo has died. Infertile eggs are easy to detect, as the egg is clear.
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How to build an egg candler on a budget
Egg candling is a process used to see inside an egg during its development. It is a simple process that can be done on a budget by making your own egg candler.
To build an egg candler, you will need the following supplies:
- A tin can with a removable top, preferably a large coffee can with a bright, shiny interior for better light reflection.
- A piece of wood to mount the can on, such as an old scrap piece of 2"x6" board.
- A lamp socket and a 60-watt light bulb.
- A piece of foam or similar material to pad the hole where the egg will touch.
- Basic tools such as a drill, scissors or metal cutter, and wood screws.
- Drill two small holes in the bottom of the can and use wood screws to fasten it to the piece of wood. This will give your candler stability and weight.
- Drill a hole in the top of the can and mount the lamp socket in the centre, ensuring it is secure and safe.
- Install the light bulb and connect the wiring to the lamp socket and an on/off switch. If you are unsure about the wiring, get help from someone knowledgeable.
- Cut a small circle in the lid of the can, just big enough for about 90% of the large end of the egg to poke through.
- Glue the piece of foam around the hole to create a soft pad for the egg to rest on.
Alternatively, you can create a simple egg candler by placing a desk lamp with a bright, low-energy light bulb inside a cardboard box. Cut a small, round hole in the top of the box, just large enough for the pointed end of the egg.
When candling, it is important to work in a dark room and to handle the eggs gently. Mark each egg with a number and take notes on your findings to track their development over time.
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How to candle dark eggs
Candling is a process used to check if an egg is fertile or infertile. It involves shining a bright light into an egg to see its contents. The term comes from the past when people used candles to see inside an egg.
Candling dark eggs can be challenging as the shells are not as transparent under the light. However, it is still possible to candle dark eggs by following these steps:
Firstly, ensure you are candling in a dark room. You can build an egg candler by placing a desk lamp with a bright low-energy lightbulb inside a cardboard box. Cut a small, round hole in the top of the box, just big enough for the pointed end of the egg. Alternatively, you can use a modern LED torch, which does not give off much heat and is also an excellent light source for candling eggs.
Next, hold the egg horizontally and place the larger, blunt end of the egg (where the air sac is) directly against the light. You can also try holding the egg upright with the fat end up, as some people find that this position works better for them.
Look for signs of a developing embryo, such as a visible network of blood vessels spreading from the centre of the egg outwards. If you are unable to see the veins, your egg should turn dark after a couple of weeks, and you will be able to see movement.
It is important to work quickly but carefully, so you do not risk dropping the egg. As long as the eggs are returned to the incubator within 20 to 30 minutes, there is no risk of the candling process affecting their development. Mark each egg with a number and take notes on your findings so that you can compare the results of multiple candlings.
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How to identify a quitter egg
Candling is a process that involves shining a bright light into an egg to check whether it is developing properly. It is important to identify and remove "quitters" during the incubation process, as they can begin to rot and explode inside the incubator, contaminating other eggs with bacteria.
To candle an egg, set up your equipment in a dark room close to the incubator. Place the larger end of the egg against the light and tilt it slightly until you get the best view of its contents. Mark the eggs as you go, making notes on what you see, and return the egg to the incubator within 20-30 minutes.
To identify a "quitter", look for a well-defined red circle on the inside of the shell called a "blood ring". This indicates that the embryo has died. Another sign of a "quitter" is when the whole egg is clear, and light is shining through it. If you are unsure, place the egg back in the incubator and recheck it on day 14. If there are still no signs of development, discard the egg.
It is important to note that different types of eggs may require varying levels of light during candling due to differences in shell pigmentation. White and light brown eggs are the easiest to candle due to their lack of pigmentation. On the other hand, dark brown, dark green, and olive-coloured eggs are more challenging because of the thick layer of brown pigment on their shells. Blue eggs also pose a challenge as the blue pigment permeates the shell.
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Frequently asked questions
Candling an egg means shining a bright light into an egg to see its contents.
The egg should be held with the larger, blunt or rounded end (where the air sac or cell is) directly against the light source. The egg can be held upright or horizontal but not sideways.
You should look for signs of a "winner", i.e., an egg with a successfully developing embryo. This can be identified by a visible network of blood vessels spreading from the centre of the egg outwards.
Typically, eggs should be candled up to three times. The first candling should be done before placing the eggs in the incubator to establish a baseline for comparison. The next candling takes place 6-8 days after incubation. The final candling takes place about a week later to identify any eggs that stopped developing.
You can use a Cool-Lite Tester, a desk lamp with a bright low-energy lightbulb placed inside a cardboard box, or modern LED torches that do not emit much heat.
