fertility question

[smarsh2]

Okay, I don't know where to post this, but I will try here. at what stage of the egg development does the egg become fertile. I ask this because I wish to leave my roo with the hens long enough to get fertile eggs and then he is off to a new home. If a hen is laying every day then I am sure at least a couple of the eggs are too far along to be fertilized.
Anyway, he a hen is bred once, (1) how many eggs could be fertilized, and (2) how many days prior to the laying of the first?

scott

 

[Chief]

I'm sure if I am wrong some one will correct me, but I think after they mate the next egg laid should be fertile. Every egg laid over the course of the next ten days should also be fertile. When I am breeding more than one hen to a rooster I will usually have the hens in separate pens and rotate the rooster every three days. Until the hen starts to become broody, then I'll remove the Roo when the hen begins to set or stay on the nest. Each breed and even each hen's cycle will differ some. I have one hen that will set after laying 11 or 12 eggs. And another that will not set until she has laid 20+.

Hopefully this helps & good luck!

 

[jeslewmazer]

I think Chief pretty much hit the nail on the head. If you but them together and she lays that day the next should be fertile but if not the following will be. I too would do breed pens and rotate at the latest every third day to insure fertility. Most books will say up to 3-4 weeks after the rooster is removed but that is not always true, and I have never tried any passed 5 days because my hens do what I call clean themselves out. I personally have not had much fertility in eggs when the rooster has been away from the hen for about 5 days to a week.