Raising chickens can be exciting, especially when you start hatching eggs. One of the most important parts of this process is candling hen eggs. It helps you see what’s happening inside the shell without breaking it. Whether you’re using an incubator or a broody hen, candling lets you check if the egg is fertile and developing properly. In this simple guide, Ladole Rugs explains how to candle eggs, when to do it, and what signs to look for.

What Is Candling Hen Eggs?

Candling hen eggs means shining a light through the egg to see what’s inside. Long ago, people used real candles for this, which is why it’s called an egg candle. Today, we use LED flashlights or special egg candler tools that are safer and more effective.

This method helps you watch the embryo grow without opening the egg. Farmers often call this process chicken candling eggs. It’s useful and fun because you can actually see life forming right before your eyes.

Why You Should Candle Eggs

Candling helps you separate good eggs from bad ones early. Not all eggs in an incubator will hatch, and some may even spoil. Removing them at the right time keeps your healthy eggs safe.

Here’s why candling is important:

• You can check if the egg is fertile.
• You can watch the baby chick grow over time.
• You can remove spoiled eggs that might harm others.
• You can improve your hatching success rate.

By candling, you make sure your chicks get the best chance to hatch safely.

When to Candle Hen Eggs

Candling should be done at specific times during the incubation period. If you do it too early or too often, it may disturb the eggs. Most people candle three times:

• First time: Around day 7 — You’ll see thin red veins and a small dark spot. That’s the embryo.
• Second time: Around day 14 — The chick is much bigger and moving inside the egg.
• Final time: Around day 18 — The chick fills most of the egg and is ready to hatch soon.

Avoid candling after day 18. The chicks need peace and warmth before they hatch.

How to Candle Hen Eggs Step by Step

Candling is easy once you learn how. Follow these simple steps:

1. Choose a dark room. A dark space makes it easier to see inside the egg.
2. Use an egg candle or an LED flashlight. Place the light at the larger end of the egg.
3. Hold the egg gently. Don’t shake or twist it too much.
4. Look closely. You’ll see veins, a moving dark spot, or a shadow forming inside.
5. Write down your notes. Keep track of which eggs are fertile and which are not.

Always wash and dry your hands before touching the eggs. Clean hands protect them from bacteria and oil.

What You’ll See When Candling

When you candle, you may notice a few clear signs that show whether an egg is healthy or not.

• Clear egg: Not fertile or stopped developing.
• Veins and a small dark spot: The embryo is alive and growing.
• Moving shadow: A healthy chick is active inside.
• Blood ring or smell: The egg is bad and should be removed right away.

If you find any rotten or cracked eggs, remove them from the incubator to keep the others safe.

Tips for Safe Candling

• Handle eggs gently and avoid rough movement.
• Keep the candling light close but not too hot.
• Don’t candle for too long; heat from the light can harm the embryo.
• Always candle in a warm room to prevent temperature shock.

By being careful and gentle, you can candle eggs without any risk.

After Candling: What to Do Next

After candling, separate the good eggs from the bad ones. Keep the fertile eggs in the incubator and discard the rest. Maintain the right temperature and humidity until hatching day.

Watching chicks hatch after proper candling is one of the best parts of chicken keeping. You’ll feel proud knowing you played a role in giving them life.

Final Thoughts

Candling hen eggs is an easy and rewarding skill for anyone raising chickens. It helps you understand the life growing inside the shell and ensures healthy chicks. Whether you use a flashlight or a professional egg candle, what matters most is handling the eggs with care.

At Incubator Warehouse, we believe learning new and practical skills like candling builds knowledge and confidence. It connects you to nature and helps you appreciate the beauty of life from the very beginning.

FAQs

1. How many times should I candle eggs during incubation?

You should candle eggs about two or three times—around days 7, 14, and 18.

2. Can I use a regular flashlight for candling eggs?

Yes, a bright LED flashlight works well if you don’t have a special egg candle.

3. What happens if I don’t candle the eggs?

If you skip candling, you might not notice bad eggs, which can spoil and affect the others in your incubator.