when do i start candling?????

[1muttsfan]

Most of the real hatching pros around here candle only on days 10 and 18 (the last day the eggs are turned). They also leave any eggs they are not SURE about in the bator until hatching. I would check them more often for weeping or smell, though.

Handling eggs too often increases the risk of damage to the eggs, in particular dropped and cracked eggs. One bycer recently dropped a while rack of half-incubated eggs while moving them, and lost the whole rack.

 

[chickmanna]

Here's a link to some pictures. https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=230

For education purposes, these pics are great, but I've read only to candle on day 7, 10 and 18. We are going to set eggs this weekend, so I'm following this thread with great interest.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I agree. I candle at day 10 and when I put the eggs in the hatcher on day 18. Any at day 18 I'm not sure of I mark. I have been surprised a couple of times as some eggs I thought were duds hatched. They were a little late but they hatched.

 

[newbee chick01]

Thanks all,, i will try on day 7-10.I??s it common for eggs 2 develope differently??? some clearer and quicker than other

 

[curious1969]

ICallMyselfCherie' :

If the eggs are light in color, and you really know what you're doing, you can often see something at three days. I have candled so many eggs, I can often make a guess, and I am pretty consistently correct. Especially with serama eggs, since they are so light and small. But if I was doing it as a beginner, I probably would be very lost.

BUT, even though I can be pretty sure whether I see something at day three, I DO NOT throw any eggs out until much later, even if I see nothing at all. I'd say around day 10 I get ready to toss.

I agree, I am usually spot on at day 3, but I never toss anything until at least day 10. There is always the chance of a tricky one who doesn't show much until later in incubation.

Yes, I am a candling addict and can't seem to stop myself

 

[ICallMyselfCherie']

Quote:
I agree, I am usually spot on at day 3, but I never toss anything until at least day 10. There is always the chance of a tricky one who doesn't show much until later in incubation.

Yes, I am a candling addict and can't seem to stop myself

Haha, yeah, I'm addicted too. But maybe that's why we've gotten so accurate?