How fragile are budgie eggs? I don't want to touch the eggs but I do want to know how if I have to, and also I want to try to candle them (in place if I can) to see if they are fertile. I also read about you guys numbering your eggs whaty exactly for? Hatching order? How do you gain access to the eggs in the box?

I have a flexi torch for candling eggs. It means you can bend the flexible shaft and candle them right there in the nesting box without touching them or moving them. I don't number eggs. I prefer the eggs are NOT touched at all.

Hi there... For candling, all we use is a little pen light type thing.. Just darken the room and make sure not to disturb the eggs. We never, ever touch the eggs, unless there's extreme circumstances, and even then we use an antibacterial wash on our hands before and after touching each egg. We choose not to number the eggs either, the ink can seep through the shell. We just note the date it was laid and candle every so often to check the progress, if after the hatching date has come and gone, we then dispose of the eggs

Hi Dave, I also use a flexi torch

 

 

I marked the eggs in the first two nests using pencil and only touched the eggs after washing my hands. I haven't bothered since then. I mark all the details of dates eggs laid and number etc on a breeding chart:

 

 

 

If I had to foster an egg or a chick I would try to make sure it went into the nest of another pair that you could easily identify the foster. i.e. a green foster into a blue nest.

 

 

Feathers.

Thanks Guys. I got a small flexible light today it looks kind of like yours but it has a lazer pointer also? I checked the eggs and they are all full of veins . I am so excited..

Feathers, thats the same torch that I use. Very good. I also like your nest cards.

 

I have an Excel spread sheet that prints out the cards on A5 paper. My web site is down at the moment, Server crashed at the ISP so when they get it up i'll up load the spread sheet.