Candle?

[bloom chicks]

I have a hen that is laying on 12 eggs. Today is day 11. I haven't candled. Do I need to candle? I am new to this. Any advice or info would be great. Thank you so much!

 

[can you hear me now?]

You don't have to candle but of you want to a bright flashlight will do just fine in a darkened room. Usually when they sit on eggs I don't candle I like to keep them with the broody hen as much as possible.

 

[rancher hicks]

I usually candle once at day 14. In the coop at night.

 

[bloom chicks]

Thank you. So does that mean I don't have to candle. I don't want to bother her anymore then I have too.

 

[Ukiah]

Nope, some people don't candle period (like myself). Some people don't even candle the eggs in an
incubator. Wishing you luck!

 

[bloom chicks]

Thank you so much!

 

[duckdad]

There is an arguement FOR candling if you are working with ducks...

Because ducks are more messy (nasty, to be accurate) they can have a large percentage of bad eggs that are infected with bacteria that can spread to the other eggs if not caught in time.
As soon as a bad egg is discovered, remove it. They're easy to spot...dark botchy stuff floating around inside...a red ring, lack of viens.
If your duck has an outside nest then its most likely that there will be some bad eggs due to the fact that a duck will crap in the nest and the eggs wear it.

If ducks did'nt come with scotchgaurd on their feathers, I'd never pick one up...

 

[bloom chicks]

I have chickens. I am letting my broody hen hatch out eggs...... Thank you for the advise.

 

[cmom]

I have had hatches that I have candled and some I haven't. The ones I candled I took out any eggs that weren't developing but I don't do my first candle until day 10 to day 12 or later when I do candle.

 

[Chica Lady]

Seems like the general rule is candle if and when you feel like it.