How does candling and temperature drops work?

[GothChick]

I know everyone says to candle your eggs, but I am also told that any change in egg temp can be fatal. Wouldn't taking each egg in and out of the incubator drop the eggs temperature as well as drop the overall temperature in the incubator? This is my first try hatching eggs and I have over $100 worth of eggs and don't want to screw it up and lose them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The air temperature in the incubator will drop when you open it up to add water, maybe hand turn the eggs, or candle the eggs. The eggs themselves are a lot denser than air. They will store heat for quite a while. Remember that a broody hen will leave the nest to eat, drink, and eliminate. As long as you do your business and get it over with, you are unlikely to cause any problems with the hatch. Just have things ready, don't get in such a hurry that you drop one, don't do it where you have a cold wind blowing on them, but get on with your business. They'll be fine.