Cheap way to candle very dark black copper marans eggs?

[NewHen]

I've already spent thousands of dollars on these chickens and I'm drawing a line on an expensive candler. I've got very dark Marans eggs in the incubator, but even a super strong LED flashlight and a toilet paper tube isn't good enough to see inside. I don't have access to an old projector. Any other suggestions? How often to bad eggs really explode in the bator?

 

[msteresaann]

Have you tryed this?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-candling.html

 

[panner123]

Wjat I use is a 6" wooden box, made from scrap wood. I placed a plastic repacement light fixture on the bottom, about $4 at any hareware store. I use either a 300 or 500 watt flood light bulb in it, about $5. On the top I cut a 1" hole, using this I can see in almost any egg. Even counting the scrap wood, this id under $10. Can't get much cheaper.

 

[jeb251]

you can try using a regular flashlight, just turn it on and put the egg on top of the lense I know it works on regular eggs, I have been doing that since I was a kid but I have never tried my bcms like that

 

[goldnchocolate]

I had the best luck by holding the LED flashlight against the top of the egg, as tight as you can. What I was looking for was a nice defined air space with all darkness underneath. It was very faint but I could see it. Good luck with your hatch.

 

[lane-h]

I candled my black copper eggs with a poly stinger rechargable flash light.

 

[Cynthia12]

We made a real easy way to candle the eggs with the heat lights we use for brooding time. Take the lamp part off, turn the large circle part of the lamp onto a piece of cardboard, draw a circle, turn the lamp part around, draw the smaller circle, then use duct tape and place it tightly all around the cardboard and lamp. Put the lamp back together. Of course the egg will be placed within the small circle hole that was cut out. I don't use the suggested 100 watt bulb. Too hot! I use only a 40 watt...and it still gets a bit hot..so have to be careful not to keep the egg on too long, I even turn the lamp off a while, then do another.... but at 14 days, I can see movement from my Marans...which I actually have in my bator right now. I saw movement tonight.

I could see the veins earlier, right around 8 days. Works pretty good for me. Good luck.

Cynthia

 

[Surehatch]

Try using a 100 lumen + tactical flashlight - you get ones like these from Wallmart or similar stores

 

[Cynthia12]

Ahh Surehatch... that's good to know, think I will try that...I will candle one last time, they are getting pretty dark in there, and will be going to lock down on Sunday.

I think I'm getting excited..have some Cuckoo Marans in there. I want to add these to my flock..have a Black Copper that has started to lay..almost everyday!

Her eggs are beautiful and yummy!

Cynthia

 

[NewHen]

Well, I thought I had done a good job using a 200 watt reading lamp with cardboard but then I went ahead anyway and bought the brinsea high intensity candler. That thing really lights up those dark eggs in an entirely better way than my candlers using a LED medical flashlight and my reading lamp could. Since, I already ordered more expensive eggs, I thought I might as well get the candler...that's me rationalizing spending too much money on chickens.