Is it a "must" to candle eggs before selling them?

[KirstenColorado]

I find this hard to believe....but I am a newbie--just haven't read or heard this before: today, someone suggested that I get equipment to (basically) egg candle before I sell my eggs. He said that sometimes there is a bad egg that you want to make sure you don't give to anyone. I only have laying hens, so no fertilization. Thoughts?

 

[mrchicks]

I don't candle my eggs before selling. We collect twice daily, so there won't be an old egg. We label as nest-run. Our labels state that our eggs are not washed, not graded, not inspected. The candling would be your inspection. Funny, people are actually delighted to find a random feather in their carton. Check the egg sales laws for your state before you offer eggs for sale.

Edit: We also add the date laid on our label.

 

[uzisuzuki]

I guess if you wanted to check the quality of the shells it would be worth candling, but the only advice on candling I've seen around here has been strictly for incubating/hatching purposes. However, I've only had chickens since October, so I'm not the most knowledgeable.

 

[lazy gardener]

I believe that some states have regulations requiring candling if you sell eggs other than on your property. For example, if you take eggs to a farmer's market, there are regs re: candling and cold storage before sale. You can check with your state ag agency. Regarding the guy that suggested you candle your eggs, sounds like he doesn't have a clue if there are even any regulations in place, and he also doesn't have a clue what a "bad egg" would look like.