How often do you candle your eggs?

[just2rosey]

I swear I have OCD when it comes to candling, I do it way to often! The closer they get to hatching the more I want to candle! I love seeing them grow, and seeing the squirm around in there..... I love hearing them peep inside the shell when they start to pip.... Candling to me is like having the ultrasound while pregnant, just seeing that new life in there sucks me in and I start getting attached. I am only on my second hatch by the way, so maybe the new will wear off eventually.

 

[Newbie_Hatcher]

haha, this is my third hatch, and i'm just as excited as if it was my first, and when due date comes, i'm sure I'll be just as nervous..

 

[Mahonri]

I like to candle on day 8 and day 18. Day 8 to remove non-developers, Day 18 to remove any quitters.

Candling any more often than that will sometimes compromise the egg., plus more chance to drop, crack etc..

Just my opinion...

 

[wegotchickens]

The embryo is so fragile early on that I usually candle day 10 and 18.
Here lately, though, I've been doing the musical bator thing trying to corrdinate incubation and hatching for staggered sets of eggs. SO I've been candling a lot more, and earlier. It's amazing to see the difference between 'homegrown' eggs and shipped eggs that are set at the same time in the same incubator!!

 

[petunias212]

Quote:
what are you smelling for?? I'm hatching for the first time...I didn't know we're supposed to smell the bator....

 

[StormyMoon]

Quote:
what are you smelling for?? I'm hatching for the first time...I didn't know we're supposed to smell the bator....

Smelling for Rotten eggs I do that too

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Typically on days 10 and 18 unless we're doing an embryology project then it's a lot more often.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I candle on day 4 because I can't wait to see whats growing.

Then again on day 7 or so and toss any bad eggs. Then again on day 18 when I move them to hatch.