is it okay if you don't candle at all?

[peaceful]

Our mother hen sat on six eggs for twenty two days or so. There was one unfertilized egg and I only know that because I broke it open at the end to see what was going on. It was not really smelly or anything either. I'm guessing that the eggs that explode were either really old or had trouble with bacteria in them (dirty? cracked?) If you know your eggs are fresh and look good I wouldn't worry about candling.

 

[ginbart]

Your not going to make it. I ask that question one time on here. I got a lot of answers and decided I wasn't going to candle. BUT I COULDN'T STAND IT.

I just had to candle.

I wanted to see how many babies I was going to get.

 

[PQ]

I only candle whenI have alot of eggs and only at day 10 and 18 for chickens, because then I can get rid of the eggs that wont be hatching to make room for the ones that can. But I dont tend to candle here at home only at the school for the education part, and also we try to have a few hatches at once of a few different breeds so kids can compare, and thus back to my more room for the ones that will be hatching... and so on LOL

 

[orcasislandchickens]

I don't candle, and don't fuss with the incubator, and get good hatches. I check periodically to make sure nothing has accidentally happened, and leave it at that. When the babies are all done hatching, and dry, I open the bator and take them all out.

I don't do staggered hatches either, and I disinfect the incubator after every use.

I realy have to use the KISS (keep it simple stupid) method as I get quite caught up in the whole process if I don't. Candeling realy does not change the outcome INMHO, and I am the sort that would toss a bad egg and then wonder forever if I got it right.

 

[Roosteroops]

"You're right, you're right, I know you're right!"

Ginbart IS right.... I'm going to crack under the pressure and candle. I'm already staring at the stupid incubator trying to tell if the thing is turning right! Well, at least I have good Company here on BYC! Misery loves company! Thanks y'all!

 

[Guinea Goonie]

The ONLY time you need to candle is when you take the turner out of the bator.

It is important to get the air sac orientation so you know where the chick is going to pip.

Look at this area on day three after the turner is out.

I sometimes mark this area with a pencil since I do use the
egg carton method to hatch out.