Fertile eggs?

[NysiaAnera]

We are starting our self sustaining flock this year and are looking forward to the day the little ones start laying, and doubly forward to broody hens and hopefully a lot of chicks each year so we don't have to keep buying meat chicks each year. It seems (after reading many threads) that even with a large flock it is still a bit hit or miss for hens to go broody, even with broody breeds. We are really hoping for, at the very least, 50 birds a year for the freezer. I have seen, many times on many threads, people recommending that others hatch their own chickens' eggs (as opposed to buying chicks or buying eggs) to make sure they are getting what they need each year because too few of their hens are brooding.

So, here are my questions.

1. If the chickens are all fertile, shouldn't the hens naturally go broody? I previously understood that being fertile is what triggers the need to brood. Is this wrong? If it is correct, then attempting to hatch their eggs will always fail...

Now, if it is NOT correct, then:
2. How do you know if the eggs are fertilized? The only way I have ever known is by cracking them open and looking at the yolk... obviously not an option.
3. Are there any ways to increase the possibility of hens going broody?

Any enlightenment here would be great! :-D

 

[Pork Pie]

We are starting our self sustaining flock this year and are looking forward to the day the little ones start laying, and doubly forward to broody hens and hopefully a lot of chicks each year so we don't have to keep buying meat chicks each year. It seems (after reading many threads) that even with a large flock it is still a bit hit or miss for hens to go broody, even with broody breeds. We are really hoping for, at the very least, 50 birds a year for the freezer. I have seen, many times on many threads, people recommending that others hatch their own chickens' eggs (as opposed to buying chicks or buying eggs) to make sure they are getting what they need each year because too few of their hens are brooding.

So, here are my questions.

1. If the chickens are all fertile, shouldn't the hens naturally go broody? I previously understood that being fertile is what triggers the need to brood. Is this wrong? If it is correct, then attempting to hatch their eggs will always fail...Egg fertility and broodiness are not related. Some breeds go broody, others have had broodiness bred out of them.

Now, if it is NOT correct, then:
2. How do you know if the eggs are fertilized? The only way I have ever known is by cracking them open and looking at the yolk... obviously not an option. Check out this link https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/16008/how-to-tell-a-fertile-vs-infertile-egg-pictures

3. Are there any ways to increase the possibility of hens going broody? No

Any enlightenment here would be great! :-D

CT

 

[NysiaAnera]

Well, okay then! Thank you for the info! :-D The whole "fertility leads to broodiness" is something I have come across SO many times all over online, I figured it must be true. But I also know how much incorrect information there is out there, and how many people really have no idea what they're talking about. It is nice having a place to verify/cross check information with others who are actually knowledgeable! So, that means we have done all we can do, and now all that remains is crossing our fingers and hoping for the best.

 

[Pork Pie]

It does indeed. What you may wish to consider is getting 5-10 hens of a breed that are renown for going broody, then you can pop fertile eggs under them whenever the mood takes them. I have managed 3 hatches per year from one broody (lets say 10 eggs per hatch) which is not too bad.

All the best
CT

 

[NysiaAnera]

Thanks! That is basically what we did. Since we want a good, productive flock, I did research on the best dual purpose breeds, and also most broody. I was so glad to discover Buff Orpingtons to be one of the best, because they are my favorite. We ordered Buff Orpingtons and Australorps. When we picked them up, we ended up with Buff Brahmas too... which I need to research because we were not planning on them, but I have heard they are great winter layers and produce excellent meat. So hopefully we will be overflowing with eggs all the time, and have a decent (or even high) chance of multiple broody hens and plenty of chicks. Definitely crossing our fingers!

 

[joelducusin]

Hi there just want to ask if where can i buy fertile eggs?