What do you use to candle your eggs?

[kennedyscochins]

Hi, I was wondering what everyone uses to candle their eggs? I saw actual egg candlers on the internet, but they were a bit expensive (considering they just looked like a flashlight). I know my parents used to use a flashlight with the cardboard that comes out of paper towels. They would sit the egg on top of the cardboard and then shine a flashlight up from the bottom. It seemed to work ok for them, but they wouldn't candle until later in the incubation process. I am getting ready to do my first incubation and would like something that will candle at just a few days so that I will know if the eggs are fertile. Would a flashlight work?

 

[Woods_Woman]

I use a bright flashlight and round my hand around the top, I place the egg in the top circle my hand makes..Not sure that makes sense, but it works well for me.

 

[silkiechicken]

I use an eagletac flashlight set on high output. See this thread .

I have also used a Surefire6p, which was the best prior to the release of the eagletac's, and can be bought places other than from online.

Many use old projectors if going for the cheaper route though.

 

[Ban seabhag]

Quote:
I have used this series of pics for reference since I started candling the first time. I can't tell you how much help they have been to me. The best pictures anywhere and you show every day progression. Thanks very much.

 

[froggie71]

We have used a flashlight with a toilet paper roll taped to the top. Doesn't work well on dark eggs, but the duck and banties eggs we candled we could see just fine.

 

[countrychickengirl]

We use an old 1970's slide projector - the bulb is 500 watts and we last used it to candle Delaware and BCM and had really good luck - if you can get your hands on one of those bad boys, I think that is your best bet:yiipchick

 

[4-H chicken mom]

My DH wired up a light bulb holder for me, then I place a box with a hole about the size of a quarter in it directly over the bulb. I place the egg over the hole then turn it on. Experiment with different wattage of bulb to get the brightest. Just never leave light on unattended, it might get to hot.