Candling

[slvrphoenix]

Well yesterday i set some eggs in a cooler/incubator I made with my kiddo. I did this so we could see eggs being hatched and for fun. So i got to thinking? I should show her the progression in eggs as best as I can with brown eggs. So when are the best times to candle to show this ? Or should I just stick to once a week?

 

[chickmanna]

I'm new to this myself, but have read that the least amount of handling the better. Less opening and closing the incubator, less chance of introducing bacteria, etc. That said, I can't seem to stop myself

My eggs were set on 12/31. I've seen progression in most eggs (some are so dark olive or brown that I can't see much beyond the air sac, so those will probably go the duration just in case), and I've been able to eliminate the ones that are obviously not doing anything. These were shipped eggs so I don't expect a great hatch rate and want to get the duds out of the incubator if possible.

Here is a link to a great set of pictures and videos on candling. https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=230

Also a link to a post about float testing. I think I'll do this just before lockdown with the eggs that are so dark shelled.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=383525

Did you see the hatch cam thread? https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=383525 Be sure to open this one in a separate window.

Good luck with your hatch!!

 

[chickmanna]

I see you found the hatch cam

 

[nurse_turtle]

I would wait until day 4-5 to really see a change. I have recently discovered that my tiny Maglite, made for a keychain, candles my brown eggs better than anything I've had. I can even candle button quail eggs. When in doubt, use an egg from the fridge to candle as a comparison to the incubator eggs.