new to hatching and was

[Queen Scoot]

wondering...do i have to candle my eggs?
i really dont want to do anything to mess this up as it is my first time hatching.
TIA

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

No...you don't HAVE to candle. However, you will be waiting 21 days not knowing if your eggs even contain chicks. If you aren't sure how to candle, I would wait until day 14 and do it only once. If the egg looks clear, it doesn't have a chick in it. By day 14 the chick is very large. YOu should be able to see a large dark object taking up a lot of the shell space. You will probably see the chick move and you will probably be able to see veins on the inside of the shell.

 

[fallenweeble]

otg is right - you don't have to but it can be really exciting to do so!
i would recommend you candle at least one egg just for the thrill/wonder of seeing that little chick moving around LIVE in the shell. it's such an awesome feeling.
what i do when i candle is i do it right next to the bator on a towel folded several times over so that if i drop the eggie it won't break. i do it FAST (but gentle!) and put it back into the bator exactly as i took it out.
be careful, once you candle an egg you will want to do it again!
good luck and welcome to the addiction!