[nettelein]

  Hi there!!! Got so excited today, Day 7 of incubation and I candled the eggs for the first time (5 Aylesbury eggs) They are all fertile, which was a great surprise and relief. So, I now need some more advice.
-How often should I (ideally) candle the eggs?
-Can candling harm them in any way?
My daughter was very disappointed that she missed the candling and that she has to wait till next time
I read, that I should candle the eggs every 5 days to check the size of the air sack which will determine correct humidity level.
Any advice would be great, also, is there any good pictures about anywhere, like a photographic candling diary. Couldnt really find anything on the internet.
Thanks, 

[in the hills]

Ahhhh .....well done.

I only candle mine a couple of times to remove infertile or death in shell eggs. My daughter loves to candle them and see whats going on. We limit it because I think there is a danger of humidity levels falling when you open the lid. But it is tempting!!!

We followed the instructions that came with the incubator very carefully regarding humidity and had very good hatch rates apart from on one occasion when nearly every chick struggled to get out of their shells. In the end my hubbie picked them out, which I know is not something that some people would advise due to the fact that the chicks maybe deformed or weak.The membranes were very dry and tight and once released the chicks were healthy and have grown into beautiful hens. So glad that we helped them. The incubator by its very nature is I suppose a very artificial environment and I have read that outside humidity levels can affect inside conditions.
My neighbour thought that her chicks drowned in their shells due to too high humidity during damp, humid weather and now runs her incubator dry!!! 

Good luck.

[daddymatty82]

well done . i would  candle at 10 the 18 for chook eggs  with ducks i would say  every 5 days after 2 weeks will be ok just dont have them out to long a time and dont put foreign objects in IE  dirty water contamination  anything really that could seep into the shells. other than that just make sure its not to long . i only hold the eggs  for minimal times from picking up to placing down again  is about 5 secs. but couple mins max  would be it i would think

[nettelein]

Well, that's what I originally thought, candling only a couple of times. It seems the more I read the more confused I get.
About everything, candling, humidity, weighing the eggs. The humidity is worrying me a bit. Too high and they are prone to infections and drown, too low and they dry out. It really is tricky. I was so pleased with what I saw today, though I know we're not there yet, still got a long way to go. I do add water to my incubator and it reads at about 50-55%. I guess it's all a matter of trial and experience and hoping to get it right. Time will tell

[in the hills]

Yes, I think its trial and error and a bit of good luck.

Have never hatched ducks so it maybe different but I give my hen and quail eggs a light spray of warm water if I think they could be dry ...... as they begin to hatch.

[nettelein]

Thanks daddymatty!!!
I tell you, I wasn't half nervous when I candled them and it's definately something you should do as a team. Hubby held candler, I picked the eggs out the incubator (as they needed turning anyway). Went really smoothly. Towards the end of incubation you won't be able to see much anyway. A couple more times I guess, especially to check the size of the air sack.

[nettelein]

 :thumbsup:A lot of good luck I think

[jaykay]

I candle every week but doing it again for your daughter to see this time isn't going to harm them.

[Sylvia]

Just don't keep the candler on the egg for too long, it could harm the chick.

[nettelein]

Thanks to you all for your replies and good advice. Will candle the eggs again on wednesday, hoping that all is well