does age affect fertility in eggs?

[ragerkid2]

My uncle has Barred Rocks and he has a roo. If one of my hens go broody, I would like to put some eggs under her from his flock. But heres the catch, his birds are three years old or they may even be four (not sure)... Will they hatch?
Thanks!
~Brandon

 

[emys]

They should be fine as long as his rooster is still active - and they are probably nice big eggs!

If there are more than 12 hens in the pen, try to get eggs from the rooster's favorite hens to be sure they are fertile.

 

[ragerkid2]

there is only 1 roo and two hens.

 

[emys]

Then I'm betting all the eggs are good to go.

 

[ragerkid2]

Okay I'm glad! Now I also wanted different breeds so I am very confused on how to get them. Most people only sell the eggs per dozen and I want a bunch of different breeds probally 2 or 3 eggs per breed...

 

[ScissorChick]

We have a 5 year old roo with our hens, and getting good eggs off of them

 

[emys]

Try posting a Craigslist ad asking if anyone out there is willing to sell you just 3 or 4 fertile eggs from breed X or breed Y (fill in one to three breed names.) Maybe someone would. You just need to ask around.

 

[ScissorChick]

Quote:
100% Agreed.

Where I'm at, craiglist is overflown with fertile eggs for sell. You could probably get a great deal.