Day 12 new to candling

[maureen9962]

Set my Bourbon Red eggs 12 days ago. I have a small LED and a big Mag Lite. What should I be seeing at this point?

 

[PunkinPeep]

I don't know how much you'll be able to see with your mag light. I fashioned a sort of candler out of a lamp and a flower pot. I've only candled once, but it was really helpful to me to candle an egg from my fridge first. That way i knew what a dud looked like.

It took me a little while, but i was able to start looking for the air pocket on the fat side of the egg and notice the embryo forming - along with veining. Once your eye is trained to it a little, you'll probably be able to see the embryo and the umbilical cord - or whatever it's called for chickens. It's great fun. And my chicks are hatching right now, so i think i got it right. I identified one dud - which definitely turned out to be a dud - and one "that doesn't look quite right," which now doesn't seem to be hatching.

I think it's an experience thing, but you have to start somewhere.

 

[equine chick]

Actually if the room is dark enough. Make sure your light is white and not yellow on the mag, makes a big difference. You should be able to see movement, may take up to 30 seconds to see.

 

[farmerlor]

I use a mag lite for my candling and it works particularly well for turkey eggs since they're not usually really dark, just freckled. At day 12 you're looking for a red spider inside those eggs (that's what I tell the kids).

 

[maureen9962]

Thanks! I see a black blob which I believe to be the air sac. Eggs are in an auto turner on their sides. I do see veining on some. I removed one which had a crack that could not be seen with the naked eye. I fear explosions, rotten eggs all the good stuff.

 

[chkinut]

i use a little led light.....it fits comfortably in my hand (not a skinny light) and it's palm sized. i just hold the light with my right hand, hold the egg with my left hand (pointy side up) and i cup my right hand around the top part of the egg by the air sac and i can see very well into my eggs. they're tiny showgirl eggs (off white color). i can see the veining, i can see them moving, and i can even see tiny little toes moving around. i'm on day 12.