Fertilized or not ?

[kandooshe]

Is there any way to know if an egg is fertilized ( before putting in the incubator or under a broody ) ??

help, thanx

 

[The Chicken People]

Yes there is it is called a bullseye!
Use the search bar in the upper right hand and type in ...how to tell if an egg is fertile and it will direct you to some helpful info!
Good Luck!

 

[Casey76]

The only real way is to crack it and look for a developing blastoderm (bullseye) on the yolk

 

[Higins00]

After 3 full days of incubation you can candle them. Day 4 is even better and so on but day 3 the earliest

 

[axion_lotus]

Yes, candling!

You certainly wouldn't want to crack open an egg you want to hatch!

Here are some helpful tips on candling and incubating eggs (according to "How to Raise Chickens" by Christine Heinrichs):
You should candle eggs on day 10 and 18 of incubation. A candler is any bright light source that can be directed toward an egg. A strong flashlight with a narrow beam or a toilet paper tube will do. You can cut a one-inch hole in a piece of cardboard to limit the light source.

You will be able to see shadows inside the egg if it is developing. If not, it will be clear. Developing embryos may be seen as a "spider" of veins as early as day three. Embryos may start developing and then stop; these are called "quitters." You will be able to tell the difference between quitters and the eggs that continue to develop.

Eggs that never start to develop should be removed. Quitters should also be removed, as they may explode and make a terrible mess in your incubator or under your broody hen, and that won't be pleasant for you or for her!

You should see the embryo developing by day 10. Day 18 is only three days before hatching time, so the eggs should be completely dark inside except for the air sac, which should be clear. The chicks will not be moving around yet by this time.

So, hope this helps, and happy incubating!