Candle vs. flashlight

[Confused a doodle doo]

When you are candling, do you have to use a candle or will a flashlight work? I tried to check two eggs today and i see nothing at all. But i used a flashlight. Im a new chicken mom so if this seems like a ridiculous question, thats probably because it is.
Thankyou to anyone who takes the time to reply to my ridiculousness.

 

[9chickenwhisperer]

Use a bright flashlight(or phone light) and hold it up to the egg in a dark room. Depending on how far along they are you should be able to see veins by day 3 and a full egg by day 14 or so

 

[Confused a doodle doo]

Use a bright flashlight(or phone light) and hold it up to the egg in a dark room. Depending on how far along they are you should be able to see veins by day 3 and a full egg by day 14 or so

Ok thankyou so much!

 

[oregonkat]

When you are candling, do you have to use a candle or will a flashlight work? I tried to check two eggs today and i see nothing at all. But i used a flashlight. Im a new chicken mom so if this seems like a ridiculous question, thats probably because it is.
Thankyou to anyone who takes the time to reply to my ridiculousness.

The term 'candling' is old school. Originally folks used candles but you dont need or want to use an actual candle to do this job. A good bright flashlight, preferably one that is designed for candling eggs with a soft rubber ring around the actual light (protects the egg) is ideal IMHO. But a regular flashlight can work and there are some threads on here that talk about ways to set up a 'candling apparatus'.

 

[Confused a doodle doo]

Ok thankyou very much for the info!

 

[Kiki]

I recommend a small flashlight with at least 500 lumens in a dark room...think closet.
Use your hand to kinda cup the light on the egg.

I can tell you that a bright flash light makes a huge difference in what you will see. I have tried many flashlights and a few phones.

 

[Confused a doodle doo]

Oh wow! Thats sooo cool thnku for sharing those pics!!!

 

[Kiki]

Oh wow! Thats sooo cool thnku for sharing those pics!!!

I have daily candle pictures here if you want to check them out:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/kikis-horse-eggs-2-have-hatched-1-left-to-hatch.1248197/

 

[jvls1942]

candling started before there was such a thing as electricity or flashlights. the term just stuck
I have a commercial candler with my kerosene heated incubator. I don't use either of them.

if you are incubating eggs. go easy on the candling.. it is a curiosity at first, but eventually you will get over it.
candling is not necessary..
you will have better success if you just leave the eggs alone..
trust me..

 

[Amer]

When you are candling, do you have to use a candle or will a flashlight work? I tried to check two eggs today and i see nothing at all. But i used a flashlight. Im a new chicken mom so if this seems like a ridiculous question, thats probably because it is.
Thankyou to anyone who takes the time to reply to my ridiculousness.

Use the brightest flashlight you can find. I had to buy a new one because all the flashlights in my house are ancient and make a tiny spot of light. You know you are doing it when you press it against the surface of the egg and the whole thing glows like your finger does when you do the same.