06/17/2026
Candling eggs is one of the most exciting parts of hatching chicks because you get a little peek at what’s happening inside the shell! 🥚🐣
Egg candling simply means shining a bright light through the egg to check for signs of fertility and chick development without cracking it open.
Most backyard chicken keepers candle around day 7 and day 14 of incubation. Around day 7, you may start to see red veins, a small dark embryo and an air sac at the wide end of the egg. By day 14, a developing chick should take up more space inside the egg, making the egg look darker with less light passing through.
If an egg looks clear early on, don’t panic right away. Give it a little more time and recheck. If there’s still no change by day 14, it may not be viable.
A few quick tips for candling:
Wash your hands before and after handling eggs, use a bright flashlight in a dark room, gently place the narrow end of the egg against the light, number each egg and jot down what you see. Always work quickly and return eggs to the same position in the incubator to help protect heat and humidity.
The first time can feel a little intimidating, but with practice, you’ll learn what to look for and feel more confident managing your hatch!
Save this for the next time you hatch eggs! 🐣
