Dumb Question

[KDrake]

I feel so dumb for even asking this question, but I need to know how this works!
We have 2 roosters and 11 hens. They range from 16-18 weeks old.

1. It's safe to assume that every egg will be fertilized, right?
2. Will fertilized eggs start to develop if they are sitting on our counter? I have this fear that I'm going to crack open an egg and a half formed chick is going to fall out.
3. If, someday, we want to hatch our own chicks, is there a timeframe when fertilized eggs are no longer able to develop? Let's say we have eggs sitting on our counter for a few days, can we put them in an incubator and will they start to develop?

Please try not to judge me too hard! Haha! We are first time chicken owners
Thanks in advance!!

 

[HuskerHens18]

There are no dumb questions.

It is safe to assume that, it would be pretty miraculous for them NOT to be fertilized with two roosters.

Fertilized eggs will NOT develop on your counter or fridge they need a tempature of 99.5°F to even start developing a little.

Eggs chances of hatching last about 10 days, after that their chances of forming an embryo would be so slim it wouldn't be worth it. And it doesn't matter if it's a 2 day old egg or a 7 day old egg, they won't develop until set at 99.5°F. They'll grow at the same rate once put in the incubator

 

[pallas]

If you want to hatch eggs I would avoid leaving them on the counter and instead head strait to the incubator. as for half formed chicks i'm not sure but I doubt they would develop especially if its only a day or so, if you are worried you can refrigerate them so there is no possibility of development. Also not every egg will be fertilized correctly or at all some times they just don't catch. I hope this helps your questions are quite valid.

 

[townchicks]

I don't think those are dumb questions. Not everyone knows those things. Me, for instance, as I don't have a rooster and have never incubated eggs. So I can't answer for you. I do know who can. @KikisGirls can you ease her mind?

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

1.If you have a rooster every egg you get will be fertilized.

2.Fertilized eggs will only start developing if you have a broody hen sitting on them or you have them in an incubator.

3.Hatching eggs are at their best for several days! Make sure you store your eggs in a cool sheltered place.

 

[Kiki]

I feel so dumb for even asking this question, but I need to know how this works!
We have 2 roosters and 11 hens. They range from 16-18 weeks old.

1. It's safe to assume that every egg will be fertilized, right?
2. Will fertilized eggs start to develop if they are sitting on our counter? I have this fear that I'm going to crack open an egg and a half formed chick is going to fall out.
3. If, someday, we want to hatch our own chicks, is there a timeframe when fertilized eggs are no longer able to develop? Let's say we have eggs sitting on our counter for a few days, can we put them in an incubator and will they start to develop?

Please try not to judge me too hard! Haha! We are first time chicken owners
Thanks in advance!!

1. Have you seen the roosters mating the hens?
2. They will not start to develop unless they are kept at a really warm temperature.
3. It is always best to hatch freshly laid eggs but some people are able to successfully hatch what I consider old eggs...month old eggs.
Know that the old an egg gets the lower the chance it will hatch.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Eggs chances of hatching last about 10 days, after that their chances of forming an embryo would be so slim it wouldn't be worth it.

Agree on everything but this. If I store the eggs in a covered basket in the basement (about 65 Farenheit, and decent humidity--I'd guess 30) I have a very good hatch rate (10/12 is the last one I remember) even if the eggs are slightly more than two weeks old. That's under a broody, with bantam eggs. I have to hoard my bantam hatching eggs at certain times of the year.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Two roosters you will have bare backs on your birds girls
is about right for one cockerel pick your favorite or double your girls please
there are no dumb questions only dummies that do not ask your higher in the smart channel

 

[sourland]

Not dumb questions - only dumb if they are not asked. As others have said, eggs will not develop until incubated. Most eggs will be fertilized if hens are run with a rooster. My experience has been identical to @sylviethecochin - I routinely held eggs in an earthen cellar, 65 % humidity and similar temperature, eggs in clean trays and turned daily with high fertility/hatch rate on eggs held 2 weeks +. Enjoy your flock.

 

[KDrake]

1. Have you seen the roosters mating the hens?
2. They will not start to develop unless they are kept at a really warm temperature.
3. It is always best to hatch freshly laid eggs but some people are able to successfully hatch what I consider old eggs...month old eggs.
Know that the old an egg gets the lower the chance it will hatch.

We have seen each rooster mate once - or attempt to anyway lol