fetile...how long?

[spoolin]

i just had a problem with my neighbor, and had to get rid of my rooster. so ikept my hens.... how long will the hens stay fertile without a rooster? cause my orpington started to lay eggs and has 5 eggs, but doesn't lay on them..... can anyone help me?
thank you

 

[lowcountrypoultry]

They should continue to lay fertile eggs for around 1-1.5 weeks.

 

[shortcake1806]

I think most agree it's about 3 weeks. Although fertility does progressivly drop. So start saving those eggies and hatch hatch hatch. Sorry to hear about your roo.

 

[hillerfamily]

I lost my roos because they fought each other about 3 weeks back, and I am still getting eggs that are fertile....odd but hey....Im no chicken-olo-gist

 

[spoolin]

wat do you mean by start saving those eggs?

 

[hillerfamily]

you can keep the fertile ones in the fridge and slip them under a broody hen if you want them to hatch or put them in a bator

 

[shortcake1806]

If you're wanting to hatch some more save the eggs the hens are laying now and put them under a broody or in the bator. I don't reccomend putting them in the fridge though. Usually I'll put mine in the spare bedroom on the bed so they'll be undisturbed til I'm ready to set them.

 

[hillerfamily]

well darn it man..i was told put um in the fridge......durn. hope i dont have problems:/

 

[shortcake1806]

Refridgerated eggs can hatch but usually not as well as nonrefridgerated ones. Hope yours do well for ya.

 

[hillerfamily]

well, i now see where my problems have been...thanks for straightening me out...we were not having much luck with the fridge ones
***a little 'enlightenment' goes a long way***lol