An apparatus for candling eggs, comprising: a housing having a free end and an elongated distal end; a frame to which the elongated distal end of the housing is attached, the frame being configured to raise and lower the housing relative to a carrier containing eggs; at least one light source configured to emit visible light from the free end and illuminate an egg positioned adjacent to the free end, wherein the at least one light source emits visible light within a range of between 600 nm and 740 nm, the at least one light source being disposed within the housing; a photodetector at the free end that generates an output signal corresponding to intensity of light from the at least one light source leaving the egg, wherein the photodetector is shielded from external light and from direct light from the at least one light source, and further wherein the photodetector is disposed within the housing; a bumper secured to the free end and configured to engage an egg in contacting relation therewith, the bumper defining a first aperture through which the at least one light source emits light and a photodetector shielding aperture through which the photodetector receives light, and the bumper being configured to shield the photodetector from direct light from the at least one light source, the photodetector shielding aperture having a hemispherical shape that facilitates stable engagement of the housing with an egg; and a processor disposed within the housing and in communication with the photodetector, the processor being configured to identify cyclical and/or non-cyclical variations in light intensity using the output signal, wherein a cyclical variation in light intensity indicates the existence of an embryo pulse, and wherein non-cyclical variations in light intensity indicate embryo movement. a housing having a free end and an elongated distal end; a frame to which the elongated distal end of the housing is attached, the frame being configured to raise and lower the housing relative to a carrier containing eggs; at least one light source configured to emit visible light from the free end and illuminate an egg positioned adjacent to the free end, wherein the at least one light source emits visible light within a range of between 600 nm and 740 nm, the at least one light source being disposed within the housing; a photodetector at the free end that generates an output signal corresponding to intensity of light from the at least one light source leaving the egg, wherein the photodetector is shielded from external light and from direct light from the at least one light source, and further wherein the photodetector is disposed within the housing; a bumper secured to the free end and configured to engage an egg in contacting relation therewith, the bumper defining a first aperture through which the at least one light source emits light and a photodetector shielding aperture through which the photodetector receives light, and the bumper being configured to shield the photodetector from direct light from the at least one light source, the photodetector shielding aperture having a hemispherical shape that facilitates stable engagement of the housing with an egg; and a processor disposed within the housing and in communication with the photodetector, the processor being configured to identify cyclical and/or non-cyclical variations in light intensity using the output signal, wherein a cyclical variation in light intensity indicates the existence of an embryo pulse, and wherein non-cyclical variations in light intensity indicate embryo movement.