broody hen

[chixaregreat41]

My silkie has gone broody...AGAIN!! I got rid of my rooster so she cant hatch but i got eggs from a neighbour as a gift and can see a white spot with a ring around it is it fertile? Can i put them under her?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

What your describing sounds like a typical fertile egg sign...a white spot with a ring around it. (See link below for good photo comparisons of fertile vs. unfertile eggs).

Yes. Absolutely. You can put any fertile egg under her, and she will hatch it.

Typically, my Silkie can handle about 5 to 6 eggs of standard size, maybe 8 of banty size eggs. Depends on your birds "spread" factor.

Good luck!
Lady of McCamley

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/01/facts-and-myths-about-fertile-eggs.html

 

[Lady of McCamley]

...oh I should add that the probability of hatching...forgive me if you are already aware...is variable.

You should never wash or put fertile eggs in the fridge. They should be kept at room temperature (assuming you don't have a hot house in the summer). Many recommend with air cell up (big round end). Many recommend rotating the egg carton (tipping a different end) until you have them inside an incubator or under a hen.

I've had the best success with really, really fresh eggs as in a day or two old. Anything over a week, the hatch rate goes down considerably.

Lady of McCamley