Fertile or Not here they come!

[Moesmom12]

The long wait is over! I have my first ever flock of laying hens!

Now down to some eggy business.
I do have a Br Roo who is crowing however; does this mean he old enough to mate with my girls?
I am wanting to incubate my own eggs and I personally have not seen him try and mate with the girls yet.
They were all hatched together on October 28, 2015 according to the seller.
That puts them at 5 months old.
Another question: How can I tell if my egg is fertile without cracking it open to check for the "bullseye"?
I know of candling but i am not sure what to look for when candling to see if it is fertile or not.

I am however very happy my hens are laying and i have my first dozen eggs in the fridge now!!!

In addition to this, what brand of incubator is the most trusted?
Should i go with a still air incubator or one that has a fan to circulate the air within?

 

[sourland]

Some roosters start later than others. Your eggs may or may not be fertile. Candling will not indicate whether or not an egg is fertile until it has been incubated. Why not check some of those refrigerated eggs for fertility before cooking them?

 

[Moesmom12]

My hens sort of lay and then leave. i havent noticed them trying to incubate them yet. I know BR are not known for broodiness at all. I also have not purchased a incubator yet. This is my second flock and second attempt at owning chickens, the first flock got taken by fox .
Thank You!

 

[sourland]

Normal behavior on the part of your hens. They will not stay on the eggs until and if they go broody. Which as you already know is not guaranteed - especially in hatchery bred birds.

 

[Moesmom12]

That is the egg "sorry I broke the yolk when j cracked it". I did see a "white bullseye" in the yolk so I'm guessing it's fertile?

 

[Islander11]

That is the egg "sorry I broke the yolk when j cracked it". I did see a "white bullseye" in the yolk so I'm guessing it's fertile?

That's a fertile egg right there! Good luck!

I would recommend a Farm Innovators or Little Giant to start, Don't go big at first. You never know.
Keep in mind with both these incubators you should use a 2nd thermometer just in case
Good luck ~ John

 

[Moesmom12]

That's a fertile egg right there! Good luck!

I would recommend a Farm Innovators or Little Giant to start, Don't go big at first. You never know. 
Keep in mind with both these incubators you should use a 2nd thermometer just in case
Good luck ~ John

 

[Moesmom12]

Thank you so much!!! I'm so excited