When Should I candle?

[Mrs MIA]

I didn't know what it was the first time I saw it... I explained it to someone, and they told me to get rid of it... quick!!! LOL! Now I know why...

 

[pax12]

5 or 7

 

[Tilly]

Hi guys

I noticed everyone talks about seeing veins when the candle early. When I first candled (they were stashed by a broody hen so not sure how long she had them only a few days at the most) I didnt see veins just a dense shadow area (which on my bantam eggs was about 1/4 or slighty less) is it normal not to see veins? The eggs a due to hatch any day now and look good (well 3 dont but 8 do)

is it normal to just see a shadow also what stage would that be at??

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
the shadow is the baby chick taking up room and blocking the light. If the shadow is not taking up most of the egg, should be able to see the veins in the lighter part of the egg. I can't see the veins if it is too close to hatch time though.

 

[Tilly]

Thanks for that I didnt see any veins the first time but did see the shadow. The second time I candled there was decent size chicks a big veins.
The first time I made a small candling box but the torch wasnt very strong so maybe why I couldnt see the veins
I used a bulb the second time and it worked great!!!!


Im recandling soon its the last time before I leave mum and eggs alone. then just waiting
thanks again

 

[shelleyd2008]

Quote:
An LED light works really well. I would use a flashlight beofre, and never did see veins. Heck I didn't see anything until the shadow was there. I bought a very small LED keychain light the other day, and I could see veins in my eggs that had been set for 3 days!! What a difference a light makes! Just be careful with a bulb, not to leave it on the egg too long. It could get warm,and make the egg heat up.

 

[Tilly]

May look into an LED for the next lot. The candling fascinates me and while this lot is under a broody im looking at incubating the next eggs, just a few from my fave hen and rooster

Not to worry i candle very fast and in 2 lots as mummy hen will have a fit otherwise lol
So if I saw a shadow would that mean the eggs would be at least a few days fertile? Not on day one or two?

 

[shelleyd2008]

I would say they are at least day 7-10. You said it was about 1/4 shadowed, right? You are braver than I am though. I don't even try to get the eggs out from under my broodies!! I just watch them like a hawk, until they come off the nest. Then, while they're busy watching babies, I steal the other eggs, bring them in the house, candle them, and if there are any that are good, in the bator they go!! I would not put my hand in that nest for nothing...without a really thick, elbow lengthed leather glove!!

 

[Tilly]

Hi

They were just under a 1/4. I found her on them on the 9th sept. I candled them that night. And thats when I saw the shadows. its now the 22nd so shes been on them for at least 14 days. But I was thinking with the shadow being there that she'd been on them a few days. Theres no pipping yet.

As for checking the eggs. "pig" is not a very tame chook on the best of days so what I do is get something ie a pen or small stick. If I put it to the left of her she will try to get it so I go in from the right grab her gently from the back incase she has eggs tucked under her wings (so they dont drop and break). I lift her outside her house then grab the eggs and put her straight back on. I have another hen who was on eggs a few years ago. She is not tame but is so pretty. I swear she had giant teeth lol she went nuts if you went near her!!! Even made my arm bleed

sadly shes no longer with us but did leave us some of her lovely chicks!

I just recandled ill post on "her" thread lol "waiting for chicks"

 

[KKluckers]

My eggs from my hens I candle on day 7 to 10 and leave them alone till they go in the hatcher.
Shipped eggs I candle them when they first get here to see if they're any cracks or a broken air cell. Then I candle them day 7 and day 14 and that is it. I try not to handle the eggs more then I need to. I candle twice on shipped eggs because those will go rotten fast