How do I candle eggs?

[ThePhoebeFive]

I have hatched silkies two times in the past, but it was just for fun. Now I am letting one of my Ameraucanas go broody. This time I actually care if I get chicks. I only have 5 eggs...and counting. I want to make sure that I am having success, so I thought I should candle the eggs to see, but I have no clue how to do it! I know that the first time I candle should be at 6 or 7 days from the time that the hen started incubating them (yesterday), but I'm not sure what to look for. Also, since I'm letting my hen do it, I don't have a nifty light on top of the my incubator like I saw in some other threads. (I think most mama hens probably don't sprout lights when they go broody! ) I'd heard that I can use a flashlight. So my questions are: Does it matter which end I should shine the light at? What am I looking for? How many times should I candle them?

 

[citymeetscountry]

The light from a cell phone works as well. I’d suggest candling from the big/round end. You can shine it downward, this way it’ll help you determine size of the air cell as well. I’m not sure how often you should candle either a broody, but you’ll be looking for good veining and will be able to see development of the embryo as well. Depending on when you candle you may be able to see flicker of a heart beat, and eye, just a dark blob, etc.

 

[fin-dachickmasta]

The light from a cell phone works as well. I’d suggest candling from the big/round end. You can shine it downward, this way it’ll help you determine size of the air cell as well. I’m not sure how often you should candle either a broody, but you’ll be looking for good veining and will be able to see development of the embryo as well. Depending on when you candle you may be able to see flicker of a heart beat, and eye, just a dark blob, etc.

Once-twice a week

 

[HumbleAmerican]

I check at 10-14 days. Toss the ones that look clear (it will be obvious) then wait for peeps.

Momma hen has it covered. I have had all but one fertilized egg hatch under my broody. You say 5 eggs and counting.... you need to set eggs all at once under her. Staggered hatches dont work with broody birds. After 2 days max she walks away from those not hatched out yet.

 

[Chicken poppy]

I have hatched silkies two times in the past, but it was just for fun. Now I am letting one of my Ameraucanas go broody. This time I actually care if I get chicks. I only have 5 eggs...and counting. I want to make sure that I am having success, so I thought I should candle the eggs to see, but I have no clue how to do it! I know that the first time I candle should be at 6 or 7 days from the time that the hen started incubating them (yesterday), but I'm not sure what to look for. Also, since I'm letting my hen do it, I don't have a nifty light on top of the my incubator like I saw in some other threads. (I think most mama hens probably don't sprout lights when they go broody! ) I'd heard that I can use a flashlight. So my questions are: Does it matter which end I should shine the light at? What am I looking for? How many times should I candle them?

Does it matter which end I should shine the light at?

id do the fat end (round plump end)

What am I looking for?

To know if the egg is good look for a network of blood vessels that appear white. A dark outline at the center of the blood vessels is the embryo. or the embryo moving slightly. These are both telltale signs that the egg is good.

How many times should I candle them?

as many as you want in moderate amounts, but avoid candeling for 18 and up. Once a day is good if you want to document progress.

after day 3 you should see something

The red blood ring - if you're candling the eggs and detect a red ring of blood around the embryo, unfortunately the embryo has deceased and should be removed immediately from the incubator to avoid other eggs from spoiling

 

[fin-dachickmasta]

I check at 10-14 days. Toss the ones that look clear (it will be obvious) then wait for peeps.

Momma hen has it covered. I have had all but one fertilized egg hatch under my broody. You say 5 eggs and counting.... you need to set eggs all at once under her. Staggered hatches dont work with broody birds. After 2 days max she walks away from those not hatched out yet.

Me too!

 

[Chicken poppy]

Me too!

I would check before then to, like day 3, you dont want a egg spoiled and then wait to long and then it explodes all over the others. Those are good times, i would candle at day 3-4 though to to be sure.

 

[ThePhoebeFive]

I check at 10-14 days. Toss the ones that look clear (it will be obvious) then wait for peeps.

Momma hen has it covered. I have had all but one fertilized egg hatch under my broody. You say 5 eggs and counting.... you need to set eggs all at once under her. Staggered hatches dont work with broody birds. After 2 days max she walks away from those not hatched out yet.

My silkie mama kept laying while she was broody, for a little while. I just had a few that hatched a little later than others. My broody hen is the one laying (I mean, all of them are laying, but she is specifically laying "into" the brood), but seems "loyal" to all the eggs (Does this make sense?). Should I take the new eggs away from her? Or could I let her continue for a little while?

 

[HumbleAmerican]

So far 10-14 days has been pretty safe.

 

[ThePhoebeFive]

Thank you!