I just put a hen in with a rooster that I want chicks from before owner takes him away. He will pick him up in a week when he gets home and I was hoping I would have some fertile eggs to hatch . Hen is laying and I was wondering how long it takes to fertilize the hen and how long after rooster is gone will she lay fertile eggs. kaye
Usually the eggs can be fertile in a day or 2, and will remain fertile for 2 weeks after, perhaps even up to 3 weeks. You can crack open an egg tomorrow or the next day, and look for the whitish "bullseye' in the yolk. If you can't see it turn the yolk over.