Is it necessary to candle?

[yanks26]

Cant you just let the eggs take their course and if they get infected then they just wont hatch and thatll be that.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Yes candleing is for those that dont want to be surprized to find out how many hatch.

 

[yanks26]

Ok so it isnt a mandatory step? Its just to get rid of ones wasting space?

 

[Suellyn]

Not mandatory, but if you have a rotten egg, could explode and ruin the rest of your hatch, so good to know in advance if something is non-viable sometimes!!!

Also personally think it is incredibly COOL to see the developement, embryos moving, etc., etc., but that's just me... Broodies have been doing it for centuries without a flashlight to help them!!!!

 

[monarc23]

Quote:
^^^^ I second this!

 

[yanks26]

Thanks for the heads up. With that being said, I will candle my eggs.

 

[shelleyd2008]

you could just periodically do a 'sniff' test. If there is a bad egg in there, you would surely smell it. Then you could candle. But it really doesn't hurt them, provided you don't do it every day, and roll them every which way in the process!

 

[jimnjay]

I have worried about exploding eggs since I first started this. I have had one go bad but was able to get to it before it blew. I did have one explode on a broody on the 17th day. It was horrible. Candle on day 10 and remove any eggs that are not developing. There is not reason not to candle. Mommies get off the nest once a day for up to 10 minutes so be safe not sorry.

 

[sandspoultry]

Quote:
I agree on the sniff test. I think the "bator" runs and hatches much better when you keep the door closed and let it run. There isn't any smell quite like a rotten egg and I can smell them when I go in the room.

Steve in NC