Does it harm shipped eggs to candle them?

[hinkjc]

To candle them before incubation starts does not affect the embryo, since it hasn't started developing yet.

What worries me is when folks candle in the first few days of incubation, when the embryo is just getting started and very fragile. I don't think it's a good idea at all to candle in the 1st 3-4 days or the last 3 days.

Also, when candling you should be careful to just lift the egg to the light and place it gently back in the bator. You really don't want to turn it over and over searching for a moving "baby". That causes issues with the vein network and I think people forget about the intricasies of the developing eggs.

Jody

 

[MissPrissy]

I agree, jody. I use a surefire and never pick up the eggs. I have flannel layers with a tiny hole cut out over the end of the light. I run the light over the eggs. Too many things go wrong when you handle them.

 

[Katy]

I do pick mine up sometimes, other times I leave them in the turner...just kind of depends. I do agree tho if you pick them up like Jody said don't be turning them every which way. I check the size of the air cell and the veining and that's it.