Do drakes lose fertility?

[bird9]

I have one drake and 2 hens. I have hatched 2 broods from the drake and original hen, and the second hen is their offspring. He mates with both girls numerous times per day, and always has. I took 6 of their eggs to incubate (3 from each hen) and after 6 days they are obviously non-fertile. It is not the incubator, as others are developing. The male is not in molt, and has his colors and tail curl. Any ideas as to why these eggs would not be fertile? Lack of fertility was not even a consideration of any possible issues. Oh...one hen and the drake are 4, and the other hen is 3. Thanks for any ideas or suggestions!

 

[chickens really]

Possibly the off spring is not fertile?....Do they breed in water?.....I hope I understood your question?...

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I have one drake and 2 hens. I have hatched 2 broods from the drake and original hen, and the second hen is their offspring. He mates with both girls numerous times per day, and always has. I took 6 of their eggs to incubate (3 from each hen) and after 6 days they are obviously non-fertile. It is not the incubator, as others are developing. The male is not in molt, and has his colors and tail curl. Any ideas as to why these eggs would not be fertile? Lack of fertility was not even a consideration of any possible issues. Oh...one hen and the drake are 4, and the other hen is 3. Thanks for any ideas or suggestions!

Hmmm, if it's hormones that give them their breeding plumage and turn them into savages, maybe they have to be a certain level for fertility. Could it just be too early or late in the season? Maybe he is getting old and needs Viagra? Or, is it possible the eggs got too cold before you collected them?

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I just checked Storey's Guide to Raising Ducks, it says, "The average fertility for most breeds is between 80 and 95 percent during the peak of the breeding season, but early and late in the season, fertility can be significantly lower."

 

[chickens really]

And with Ducks...They are not fertile all year like a Chicken......Feed quality and Hormones play a huge part in fertility..

 

[bird9]

Offspring could be infertile. But mom is fertile for sure, which leads me to think it is the drake. Who knows??

 

[bird9]

The first clutch we incubated hatched in February (3 yrs ago) and the second she brooded and they hatched early July, of the same year. That said, this year they both quit laying for 3-4 months, and only started back again about 1.5 months ago. So, it very likely could be just not a fertile time for the girls.

 

[chickens really]

The first clutch we incubated hatched in February (3 yrs ago)  and the second she brooded and they hatched early July, of the same year. That said, this year they both quit laying for 3-4 months, and only started back again about 1.5 months ago. So, it very likely could be just not a fertile time for the girls.

Yes.........You are correct......


Cheers!