Fertilized by a Ghost

[mpemburn]

We have a little flock of year old hens. Up until about two months ago, we had a rooster, but he went to—shall we say—rooster heaven. This past week, I have cracked two eggs that looked for all the world to be fertilized: a little dark red dot trailing a diaphanous white streamer across the surface of the yolk. I’ve been given to understand that impregnation lasts about a week in a hen. Can anyone suggest what’s going on here?


Best regards,

Mark

 

[FeatherTay]

It can actually last up until a month!! If your rooster passed away two months ago, than the eggs shouldn’t be fertilized. Do you let your hens free range? Sometimes there are roosters that font have a home or perhaps or neighbors have a rooster that came over? Also if you have a picture that could be useful. Sometimes yolks have white on them but aren’t a bullseye which means they aren’t fertile.

 

[MysteryChicken]

We have a little flock of year old hens. Up until about two months ago, we had a rooster, but he went to—shall we say—rooster heaven. This past week, I have cracked two eggs that looked for all the world to be fertilized: a little dark red dot trailing a diaphanous white streamer across the surface of the yolk. I’ve been given to understand that impregnation lasts about a week in a hen. Can anyone suggest what’s going on here?


Best regards,

Mark

Blood spots happen when a vessel in the cuticle breaks while the yolk is being released into the ova duct. Hopefully I said that right. I'm tired.

A fertilized egg will have a white bullseye.

 

[CluckerFamily]

The white thing is the chalaza. This stabilizes the egg yolk in the middle of egg, fertilized and underutilized eggs have them.

 

[MysteryChicken]

A hen can store sperm for about 3 weeks.

 

[mpemburn]

It can actually last up until a month!! If your rooster passed away two months ago, than the eggs shouldn’t be fertilized. Do you let your hens free range? Sometimes there are roosters that font have a home or perhaps or neighbors have a rooster that came over? Also if you have a picture that could be useful. Sometimes yolks have white on them but aren’t a bullseye which means they aren’t fertile.

I wish I’d taken a picture—and will if I encounter another one. I was busy making breakfast at the time.

No, we don’t let them free range—or haven’t for several months. We’re a good half-mile through dense woods from the nearest other chickens, anyhow.

 

[Chicken Heel]

I wish I’d taken a picture—and will if I encounter another one. I was busy making breakfast at the time.

No, we don’t let them free range—or haven’t for several months. We’re a good half-mile through dense woods from the nearest other chickens, anyhow.

I once had a White Leghorn that would go about a 1/4 mile to visit the hens of a farmer. And I was thankful because he was the meanest SOB of a rooster that ever lived. I called him Satan.

 

[mpemburn]

Blood spots happen when a vessel in the cuticle breaks while the yolk is being released into the ova duct. Hopefully I said that right. I'm tired.

A fertilized egg will have a white bullseye.

Thanks! I don’t want to believe in ghost roosters—especially that mean S.O.B.!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Thanks! I don’t want to believe in ghost roosters—especially that mean S.O.B.!

You're welcome.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I've only had two super human aggressive cockerels. They became soup. Butthead cockerels/roosters aren't tolerated.