Is it okay NOT to candle eggs?

[kcdef]

Is it okay if I do NOT candle my eggs throughout the incubation process? Is this an absolute must to make sure that "bad eggs" don't contaminate the rest or something? I have about 30 eggs in 1 incubator, and the thought of candling each one, losing heat, humidity, handling that many eggs, etc. makes me nervous that I might do more damage than good!
(This question isn't only for chicken eggs, I also have an incubator going with pheasant and with guinea eggs. Just in case that makes any difference!)

 

[Pork Pie]

Think about it like this - a broody hens gets off her eggs to eat, dust bathe, poo etc almost every day. It's not a problem, and actually quite natural for eggs to cool for short periods of time. The Brinsea incubators have a specific function to do precisely this (not that I've ever used it). I'd rather remove clear eggs than having them explode - that would not be amusing.

 

[bobbi-j]

Is it okay if I do NOT candle my eggs throughout the incubation process? Is this an absolute must to make sure that "bad eggs" don't contaminate the rest or something? I have about 30 eggs in 1 incubator, and the thought of candling each one, losing heat, humidity, handling that many eggs, etc. makes me nervous that I might do more damage than good!
(This question isn't only for chicken eggs, I also have an incubator going with pheasant and with guinea eggs. Just in case that makes any difference!)

You don't HAVE to candle your eggs... I candle because it fascinates me to see how they are developing. I'd also rather get the dead or non-developed eggs out of the incubator or nest rather than take a chance on one contaminating the whole bunch. But this is your hatch, and you can manage it in the way you're most comfortable.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Is it okay if I do NOT candle my eggs throughout the incubation process? Is this an absolute must to make sure that "bad eggs" don't contaminate the rest or something? I have about 30 eggs in 1 incubator, and the thought of candling each one, losing heat, humidity, handling that many eggs, etc. makes me nervous that I might do more damage than good!
(This question isn't only for chicken eggs, I also have an incubator going with pheasant and with guinea eggs. Just in case that makes any difference!)

Is it necessary, no. Can it be beneficial, yes. Especially if you are new to hatching and trying to figure out what humidity works best, using the air cells as a guide. However, you don't have to candle all the eggs in one setting. You can candle 5-10 eggs one night, and another group another night, just to gage growth and air cell development. I personally like candling. But, if handling eggs makes you nervous, you won't get the same thrill some of us do by seeing the development. Do what's comfortable for you.

 

[El Paso Linda]

Can I candle the eggs without removing the eggs from the incubator? I have quail eggs that sit in individual baskets in the automatic turner. If I turn off the bater and have it in a dark room, can I put the flashlight against the egg and see inside the egg?