Fertile eggs without the rooster

[CiceroXY]

If I separate the rooster from the hens, for how many days/weeks my hens will lay fertile eggs?

 

[LilJoe]

Its safe to wait a month before your eggs are infertile.

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I've found the hens lay fertile eggs for two weeks after the rooster is out. Some fertility dropped off after two weeks...and some eggs are fertile to approximately 3 weeks or so.

If you are wanting to re-breed to a different rooster, most people wait a month or so to make sure the eggs are no longer fertile.

 

[CiceroXY]

I've found the hens lay fertile eggs for two weeks after the rooster is out. Some fertility dropped off after two weeks...and some eggs are fertile to approximately 3 weeks or so.

If you are wanting to re-breed to a different rooster, most people wait a month or so to make sure the eggs are no longer fertile.

So, you've incubated 2 weeks old eggs and they hatched?

 

[chicks are life]

That smiley face just completed it

 

[Wickedchicken6]

So, you've incubated 2 weeks old eggs and they hetched?

I've incubated 4 week old eggs and hatched.

But I'm speaking more from the eating side of it. Some of the family prefer non fertile eggs to eat...so I keep track of how long they produce fertile eggs...lol.

 

[CiceroXY]

I've incubated 4 week old eggs and hatched.

But I'm speaking more from the eating side of it. Some of the family prefer non fertile eggs to eat...so I keep track of how long they produce fertile eggs...lol.

Yes I can understand, I have friends who refuse to eat fertile eggs for ethical reasons.
But going back to us, how do you keep the eggs that you want to incubate because, you know, I'm speaking more from the incubating and hatching side!

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I can't take any credit for the eggs that were 4 weeks. Those eggs weren't turned or kept upright...they sat in the nests the hens had made in the barn and weren't touched for all that time until setting. I was incredibly fortunate to have been able to resurrect the three chicks I got from all those eggs. But that goes to prove how amazingly resilient and viable some embryos/eggs are.

As for my other eggs, I routinely set and hatch from 2-3 week old eggs. There can be substantial die-off and there may be some that will be clear from the start. It is not for most and it is hard on the heart.

I started with keeping them in closed, foam cartons and tipping them. I still keep them in foam cartons, I think that's very important from the humidity side of things...but I forget most of the time to tip them now.. The studies say a better hatch rate is the result of tipping the eggs while waiting to be set. I haven't done a side-by-side comparison on how much better tipping is at this age of egg for setting. (I haven't set many this year since I'm close to overflowing...lol)

I'm sure you are aware that 7-10 days is the prime age for hatching for the best results and numbers. I don't normally hatch for that...so my method is quite different from most...lol. I'm wanting the embryos that are tough and viable regardless...the ones that hatch out under some of the worst conditions. I want my breeding stock to be picked from these possible replacements.

 

[AlleysChicks]

Most of mine were fertile for 4 weeks and 3 days after I took my boy out. I feel like it also depends on the hen and how active he was with them.

 

[CiceroXY]

I can't take any credit for the eggs that were 4 weeks. Those eggs weren't turned or kept upright...they sat in the nests the hens had made in the barn and weren't touched for all that time until setting. I was incredibly fortunate to have been able to resurrect the three chicks I got from all those eggs. But that goes to prove how amazingly resilient and viable some embryos/eggs are.

As for my other eggs, I routinely set and hatch from 2-3 week old eggs. There can be substantial die-off and there may be some that will be clear from the start. It is not for most and it is hard on the heart.

I started with keeping them in closed, foam cartons and tipping them. I still keep them in foam cartons, I think that's very important from the humidity side of things...but I forget most of the time to tip them now.. The studies say a better hatch rate is the result of tipping the eggs while waiting to be set. I haven't done a side-by-side comparison on how much better tipping is at this age of egg for setting. (I haven't set many this year since I'm close to overflowing...lol)

I'm sure you are aware that 7-10 days is the prime age for hatching for the best results and numbers. I don't normally hatch for that...so my method is quite different from most...lol. I'm wanting the embryos that are tough and viable regardless...the ones that hatch out under some of the worst conditions. I want my breeding stock to be picked from these possible replacements.

You've explained it very precisely, thanks
Yes I'm aware of that and I'm interested in your method.. I heard something about vigour selection and you make a kind of this selection cause your chicks are for sure very viable