Egg Fertility 90% to 75% to 50% - can Roo top hens and not fertilize??

[b-cuz]

My friend has been hatching eggs with his incubators. He has a 1 year old Rooster. His egg fertility has gone from 90% for first hatches to 75%, then to 50% on the last hatch. What would cause the fertility percentage to drop? He asked, "Can the roo mate hens and not fertilize the eggs?".
Any ideas?

 

[ozark hen]

B-cuz, first let me welcome you to byc!! So glad to have you. In answer to your question....it must be possible as I have read many on here who do "test" hatches in their incubators before selling any eggs.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Is he getting with all the hens, mine will tend to just go after the easy ones, thus those not wanting to accept his advances are left alone, so would be same as having no roo.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
FIRST let me say I tried to be first to Welcome you, but I type toooooo slow.

I think the test hatching is two fold,
1) it allows those with potential hatching eggs to get more chicks without thier SO's blessing, because you wouldnt want to send out non-fertilized eggs.

2) It ensures that a young roo has gotten the rutine right, often when starting out they go through the motions, but miss the spot.

So I would go with the post above about only the easy hens getting fertilized.

 

[Hobbley_Farm]

Content removed by moderation for inuendo...please review the rules.

 

[bigzio]

Mother Nature seems to have everything worked out. Spring always presents the most healthy and strongest brood of the year. Trying to fool Mother and her roos, result in a 50% hatch, which is normal and a blessing, in my opinion. Good Luck, and nothing but the best.

bigzio

 

[Marlinchaser]

edited by moderation...

edited to say sorry

 

[halo]

Could it be an issue with the incubator?

 

[hinkjc]

I have edited this thread for reasons I am sure those of you who posted inappropriate content can understand. Please stay on topic.

As to the question, it is common for fertility to naturally decline this time of year, especially if the rooster (and hens) are starting to moult. Any signs of moult?

Jody

 

[b-cuz]

Thanks everyone. This info helps a lot and is what I kinda figured. Yes, there were a lot of feathers 3 to 4 weeks ago.

Again, thanks for the good info. I passed it on to my friend.