Egg candling

[Austin81]

Hey guys I’m wondering if someone can help me with a debate I have going on with my partner. Lol. Question is,
What day is the best day to do your first candling of eggs in the incubator? My partner said that in day 4 you should be able to see if the egg is any good. I on the other hand think that, that is to early because every egg developes differently. I personally think that day 7 would be a better day to do the first candling. Because by then you have a better idea if the egg is viable or not.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I agree day 7, but I'm new to hatching eggs and actually in the process right now! Day 8.

 

[john_wrightson2003]

You can definitely see development at day 4, but most people recommend day 7, it really doesn't matter though, it doesn't affect anything about the hatch.

 

[aart]

Looking at day 4 is interesting....'spider veins'.
Day 7 may be more indicative of 'alive' or 'dud'.
On my first hatches I candled more often as learning experience...
...now les often.

First Hatch - I candled on day 7-10-14-18.
Day 7 - didn't see much but the air cells, which I outlined with a pencil every time I candled, maybe some veining and lumps..maybe moving...I was very disappointed.

Day 10 - could definitely see veins and some movement...maybe some clears and blood rings.

Day 14 - saw much more definition of shape, movement and realized what I had seen the previous times. Clears and blood ring more obvious.

Day 18 - pulled the now very obvious clears and blood rings. Viable chicks almost filled egg and wasn't as much movement.


Knew much better what to look for the next time I incubated. It just takes some practice and experience.

Candle well after sunset or in a dark windowless room, I used a cardboard template with a hole cut to fit into a utility light shade with a 60watt bulb. Also used a very bright flashlight and just my hand in a windowless room after I got better at it.

 

[Av8r]

I usually candle eggs twice. Once on day 10 and a second time on day 18 before lockdown.

It’s pretty hard to see much too early on, especially with darker brown or blue/green eggs.