Fertile?

[mc79]

Since finding out that one of my silkies turned out to be a rooster, I've been checking the yolks of the eggs I make, to look for the telltale "bullseye". I haven't seen any until this morning, or at least I think, which is why I'm looking for confirmation. When making my daughter eggs this morning, 2 out of 3 looked like this (see picture below). I haven't seen that before. Am I really seeing a bullseye there, or am I just wishful thinking? Fertile or non-fertile?

 

[Miss717]

I would have to say non-fertile. There would be a larger ring around the circular thing that is there.

 

[cheezenkwackers]

I respectfully disagree. I only have ducks but that is what my duck eggs look like and I know they are fertile because some of them are about to hatch. I wonder if some seem to have bigger bullseyes because development has started. If a hen is sitting on the egg or the air temperature is really warm cell division would begin. Maybe?

 

[Simone Van Eijck]

From the pic, I don't think so, but here's a helpful link to a previous post.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...g-photos-thread-reboot.1113237/#post-17139317

 

[mc79]

Those eggs had been in the refrigerator for a few days before I cracked them open to cook. Does that make a difference on the bullseye appearance?

 

[Simone Van Eijck]

From my reading, refrigeration will pause the development, not change what you can see. So don't think so. Hope that's helpful x

 

[mc79]

Since learning that I have a rooster (my 1st), I have been absolutely giddy at the thought of hatching my own babies. I've already bought the incubator and candler in preparation. This over excitement may be the cause of me trying to see things that aren't there. I'm probably just being a bit impatient. My roo is almost 6 months old, so hopefully he will start "handling his business" in due time.

 

[Simone Van Eijck]

Since learning that I have a rooster (my 1st), I have been absolutely giddy at the thought of hatching my own babies. I've already bought the incubator and candler in preparation. This over excitement may be the cause of me trying to see things that aren't there. I'm probably just being a bit impatient. My roo is almost 6 months old, so hopefully he will start "handling his business" in due time.

That's so sweet. I know the feeling. If I were you, I'd incubate about 5 eggs for 4-5 days. When you candle a fertile egg on day 4/5, you'll see a spider-like blood supply. Then you'll KNOW once and for all.

 

[mc79]

That's so sweet. I know the feeling. If I were you, I'd incubate about 5 eggs for 4-5 days. When you candle a fertile egg on day 4/5, you'll see a spider-like blood supply. Then you'll KNOW once and for all.

My incubator came in the mail the same day I posted the yolk picture. I took 5 eggs from the nest box straight to the incubator that day, just to give it a try. I have a webcam in my coop, so I know which hen laid which egg, and I have them marked. On day 3 of incubation now, but after this thread, I'm trying not to get my hopes up for when I candle them in a couple of days. On a side note, while outside watching the eclipse today, I saw my silkie rooster attempting to mount my Jersey Giant. She didn't let him, but it's the first time I've ever seen him give it a try. Progress!