Black Eggs/Infrtile Rooster??

[springchicken10]

Hi, I have two eggs that are a few weeks old. They are solid black when candled. Are these duds? Also, does anybody know how long a rooster is good for breeding? Mine bred successfully four years ago. But now all the eggs seem infertile. He is about 5 to 6 years old. Thanks!

 

[Roxannemc]

Hi, I have two eggs that are a few weeks old. They are solid black when candled. Are these duds? Also, does anybody know how long a rooster is good for breeding? Mine bred successfully four years ago. But now all the eggs seem infertile. He is about 5 to 6 years old. Thanks!

few weeks old..are you incubating them? If so they may be ready to hatch or that could be bacteria but id bet on the side of ready to hatch .Do they smell?

 

[springchicken10]

Thanks for replying!! One is at least 5 weeks old. The other is younger. There are also two new silkie eggs, all being brooded naturally by a broody silkie hen (they are the BEST). I had no trouble as a first timer a few years ago. This time eleven out of 15 eggs were duds. I discarded them. But two were solid black (dense) inside. They are still under the hen. The whole nest smells a LITTLE. But not like something rotten. I am more concerned about the rooster's viability. Any ideas on that? I hate to "toss" him. What would I do with him if he's over the hill? But it won't work to have two roosters.

 

[Amykins]

5 weeks? No egg should take 5 weeks to hatch...as for the rooster, it depends. Do you raise chickens for meat, or are they all beloved pets?

 

[springchicken10]

Hi, Thanks for the reply. The chickens are for eggs and fun. And I've sold a handful of babies. I wonder about this rooster.

 

[Amykins]

Well, then a chicken dinner is out of the question! I've never had a rooster, only hens, so I'm afraid I'm not much help. :/ I'm sorry.

 

[springchicken10]

Haa, ha! No I wouldn't try to eat this old bird anyway, even if he wasn't a pet. I do eat chicken all the time tho.