Candling chicken eggs is a great way to check on the development of your embryos and make sure that everything is going smoothly. It can also be a fun and educational experience for the whole family. But it's important to do it safely to avoid damaging the eggs or harming the developing chicks. 

What is candling? 

Candling is the process of shining a bright light through an egg to see what's inside. This can be done with a special candling device or a flashlight. 

When to candle eggs 

You can start candling your eggs as early as day 7 of incubation. However, it's generally best to wait until day 10 or 12 to get a good view of the developing embryo. 

How to candle eggs 

To candle an egg, hold it up to a bright light in a dark room. The light will shine through the shell, allowing you to see the contents of the egg. 

What to look for when candling eggs 

There are a few things to look for when candling eggs: 

• Fertile eggs: Fertile eggs will have a dark spot in the center, which is the developing embryo. You may also see a network of blood vessels.
• Infertile eggs: Infertile eggs will be clear or have a small, light-colored spot.
• Dead eggs: Dead eggs will have a dark ring around the edge of the yolk.
• Cracked eggs: Cracked eggs should be removed from the incubator to prevent contamination. 

Tips for candling eggs safely 

• Use a bright light: A bright light will make it easier to see the contents of the egg.
• Handle eggs gently: Eggs are fragile, so it's important to handle them gently.
• Don't candle eggs for too long: Candling eggs for too long can damage the developing embryo.
• Wash your hands: Wash your hands before and after candling eggs to prevent the spread of bacteria. <br>

Candling eggs in an automatic egg turning incubator 

If you're using an automatic egg turning incubator, you'll need to be extra careful when candling eggs. Here are a few tips: 

• Remove the eggs carefully: Remove the eggs from the incubator carefully to avoid damaging them.
• Candle eggs quickly: Candle eggs quickly to minimize the amount of time they're out of the incubator.
• Return eggs to the incubator: Return the eggs to the incubator as soon as you're finished candling them. <

Educational candling moments 

• Candling eggs can be a great way to teach children about the life cycle of a chicken.
• Candling eggs can also help you identify problems with your eggs, such as infertility or dead embryos.
• By candling eggs, you can increase your chances of hatching healthy chicks. 

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I hope this blog post has been helpful. If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. 

Happy candling! 

Crissy O Show

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