Basics for breeding chickens//making sure Roo is fertilizing

[jenshaun138]

Hello out there, I'm new to BYC and I'm not entirely sure I'm in the right category, but I didn't see anything specifically for breeding programs..

Anywho, I have an endless supply of broody Sussexs and I have two Roosters, a Welsummer and BCM.. I also have 3 Ameraucana hens laying currently and I would like to pair them up and start hatching out some Olive Eggers. My situation is that I only have one coop (the roosters coexist quite nicely together) and I want to make sure my 3 hens are definitely getting fertilized (preferably by the BCM) amongst the other 15 chickens.

I have sectioned off an extra area of chicken run with some fencing to separate the BCM and Ameraucanas, added some nesting boxes in there with some food and water.. So far they've just been grazing, I don't see much ''action'' going on.... how do I know whether the eggs are getting fertilized? I should mention that the BCM rooster is about 6 months old, he seems fully mature and he crows loudly all day.

At nightfall, I'll have to put them back in the coop for safety, along with everyone else..and then tomorrow separate them again... Maybe all this is a bit unnecessary though? I need some opinions here, this is my first time attempting a breeding project like this, so I'd like to make sure I do it right.

Thanks everyone!

 

[NYREDS]

Crack open an egg. If there's a "bulls eye" on the yolk it's a fertile egg.

 

[jenshaun138]

I guess I forgot to mention that I already do that and the eggs are not getting fertilized (this was when all 15 hens and 2 roosters were together). Now the BCM rooster and 3 hens are separated, hopefully that will help. My question wasn't really how to tell if an egg is fertilized, but more how to create an environment that is successful for fertilization and a breeding program. Thanks though.