Eggs not hatching? Sterile rooster?

[dianneS]

I have had two hens go broody this summer and try to no avail to hatch several clutches of eggs. The eggs simply rot. They don't develop at all. I can only assume that they're just not fertile, but I don't understand why?

I have two roosters with my hens, a full sized rooster and a bantam roo. I don't think the banty even attempts to service the girls because he gets bossed around by the big roo. The big roo is about a year old, a rumpless lavender Amerucana (or Arucana, I forget?) Anyway, I know that lavender is an experimental color, could this guy be sterile for some reason? He does "have his way" with the hens, but still no chicks? The eggs do not develop at all, just rot. What's going on?

 

[sumi]

Crack open a few of their eggs and check for the little white "bullseye" on the yolk. That's how you tell if an egg is fertile.

 

[dianneS]

I cracked two eggs today and they were both fertile? What could be going on? Why aren't these eggs hatching?