Timeline for candling eggs

[HeadlessChicken]

Hello everyone,

I can't seem to find a consensus on when to candle eggs. When is the earliest one can see signs of life when candling, and should the eggs be candled at set points during incubation (e.g. every few days)?

Thanks in advance,

Jack

 

[Christie Rhae]

I have read to candle on day 7, 14 and 18.

 

[Mychickshatched!]

I have seen life in an egg as early as three days, but I've just learned that it probably isn't really a good idea. I'm just going to candle on those three days from now on so I can give my babies the best chances of hatching.

 

[Higins00]

Everybody has their own opinions. I candle at day 3, I look for veins. At day 7 I can see the body moving and the eye. I candle when ever I get the urge after that. After a certain point all you can see is the air sac. I candle right before lockdown and look for movement in the shadows. Good luck.
This is day 3 for me and what I can see.

Day 7

 

[weimarmama]

Most of the time I candle at days 7, 14, & 18 using an LED light (sometimes though I only do it twice). I don't really like to handle them more than that because of possibly transmitting something from my hands.

 

[morgakl2]

Thank you Higgins person for posting the picture of the egg at day 7. I just candled my first eggs ever tonight and I wasn't quite sure what I should see. I couldn't find a chicken development diagrams of candled eggs online. My silkie laid 10 eggs. I have no idea when she starting laying them, how many she lays in a day, or what. I found them on July 22 and put them in the incubator on July 23. I'll be the proudest mommy in the world if at least 1 survives.

 

[weimarmama]

Quote:
Have you checked out the Egg Candling Pics thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=261876

 

[Jloeffler]

Quote:
I feel the same way! I have a Cochin mix who donated three eggs to the incubator. I've never incubated and I've been jumping to every thread here that might give me some bit of advice that might help. Like you, I will be so excited if at least one hatches.
Does anyone know, is it just due to excessive handling that candling should be done only infrequently?

 

[morgakl2]

Awesome Link!! thanks for that!! Us bama girls gotta stick together

 

[HeadlessChicken]

Thanks for all of the helpful responses.

I think i'll candle them at day 7, 14 and 18 as suggested. The urge not to get them out to candle today (day 3) is overwhelming!

Jack