Candling chicken eggs by day: features, how to do it yourself

The procedure for candling chicken eggs is used when hatching chickens. The technology of translucent eggs in order to find out if there is an embryo inside has appeared a long time ago. Initially, ordinary candles were used for this purpose. Currently, there is a special device - an ovoscope.

Features of the procedure

Candling is a simple yet very informative way to identify the embryo inside. For the procedure, a device is used - an ovoscope, which shines through the shell, and it becomes clear what is inside.

Candling can be done at any time.An ovoscope is a small device with a light source inside. The upper part is a plate with a small hole for laying eggs. You can also purchase a portable ovoscope that looks like a flashlight.

What is it for?

You can breed chickens without an ovoscope. But thanks to candling, it is possible to control the process at all stages of incubation and immediately discard eggs in which there was no embryo.

A normal egg, without various defects, looks like this:

1. The shell is completely uniform, without damage.
2. There is a small air chamber at the rounded end, separated from the shell by a transparent film.
3. The yolk is located in the center (it should be one, sometimes there are two yolks inside).
4. If you start to rotate it, the yolk slowly turns.
5. No black or blood spots inside.

Only he althy eggs are suitable for hatching.

How is the process?

Candling is very simple. Before placing the eggs in the incubator, they are viewed with an ovoscope. They are placed on the device, turn it on. It shines through the shell, and it becomes clear what is inside.

Tool selection

Now there are a large number of ovoscopes, and it is often difficult to choose a quality device. First of all, when choosing an ovoscope, you should pay attention to the voltage of the device. Devices with a voltage of 220 volts are suitable for purchase. Such an ovoscope will shine through the shell well, and all defects will be immediately noticeable. Taking an ovoscope with less voltage is not recommended.Not all defects may be visible during candling.

Another factor is power. It is worth buying devices in which it is equal to 25 watts. With the help of such a device, you can enlighten up to 15 eggs.

The whole procedure will take no more than 15-20 minutes.

The only downside of the ovoscope is its price. A quality device will be expensive, so if chickens are bred for a small subsidiary farm, buying an ovoscope is too expensive. Moreover, it can be made independently from improvised means. Or use a regular flashlight.

Ovoscopy of chicken eggs by day

It is not recommended to get involved in frequent candling. Especially if the chicks are bred by the hen. If the bird is constantly disturbed, it will be very stressful for her, and she may completely leave the nest. In addition, there is a risk of damaging the shell and unhatched chick.

If the eggs have just been laid, there is no point in scanning them right away. But you can conduct candling on the first day. It often happens that there are two yolks inside, it is unlikely that a chick will hatch from such an egg, so it can be removed immediately.

First time

For the first time after laying eggs, nothing will be visible on the ovoscope. During this period, only the organs of the embryo are laid. The egg is dark yellow when translucent. There should be no dark spots inside.

3rd day

After carrying out the procedure during this period, you can see that the space inside has become lighter. If you put a phonendoscope on the surface of the egg, you can hear how the embryo's heart beats.

4th day

A circulatory network appears inside the egg, which is clearly visible, and a dark clot in the middle. At this time, the beak, reproductive organs and wings are formed.

5th day

Already you can see the umbilical cord that comes from the dark blood clot in the center of the egg, you can also see the anatomical sac - the membrane that protects the fetus. If you look closely, you can see a small dark dot in the center of the clot - this is the eye of a chicken. Blood vessels become thicker and darker.

6th day

The vascular network is getting bigger and darker. The clot is blurred, its edges are no longer so clearly defined. The black dot (eye) becomes even more visible.

7th day

On the 7th-8th day inside the space becomes darker, acquires an orange-bloody hue. The blood vessels are clearly visible. The chicken continues to develop internal organs.

If you open the shell during this period, you can see that the first feathers begin to form in the chick.

11th day

At this stage, the state of the allantois is usually assessed. If the chick develops normally, the allantois fills everything inside the shell and closes at the pointed end. If you look closely, you can see the outline of a chick. Gradually, the chicken grows in size, the space becomes darker.

15th day

The egg seems almost black, the chick fills all the space. He has formed almost all the organs. At the same time, it is noticeable that it is on one side, and the opposite part from the chick seems very light.

19th day

At the end of the incubation period no changes are visible. The chick filled all the space, and on translucence, the egg appears black. Clearance during this period should no longer be noticeable. If you look longer, it will become noticeable how the chick moves. Usually on the 19-20th day, the chicken is already pecking a hole in the shell.

What defects can appear during incubation

Silencing the shell before laying it in the incubator and during the entire incubation period will allow you to immediately throw out eggs unsuitable for hatching.

What defects can be seen:

1. Mild vascular network.
2. Appearance of the blood ring.
3. Presence of blood points.
4. Light lines.
5. Foreign bodies inside.
6. The appearance of dark spots - mold.
7. Airspace has been moved from the edge of the shell to the center, side or pointed end.
8. The yolk flows from side to side.
9. Yolk stuck in place during turns.
10. Streaks of blood.

When translucent, a red circle may be visible inside. This indicates that the fetus has died. Red dots appear due to the same. If during the procedure the chick occupies all the space and moves, it means that it will hatch soon.

It can be difficult at first to spot the defects inside. Experienced poultry farmers who have been doing this for more than one year can immediately determine which egg will hatch and which will not hatch.

Do-it-yourself ovoscope

You can make an ovoscope from improvised means yourself. This will require a light bulb and a cardboard box. A light bulb is attached to the bottom of the box. The top of the box is covered with a lid with holes into which the eggs will then be inserted. By pointing a light bulb at an egg, you can illuminate it and see what's inside. If you do not want to do an ovoscope, you can shine through with a flashlight.

Another way to make an ovoscope is to use a tin can. You need to take a light bulb, insert it into the socket. Cut a hole in the jar so that the egg does not fall through. Put the testicle in the hole, turn on the light and inspect.

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