Hi there! My names Chrystal! I have had my flock almost a year now, and had purchased two laying hens, that are laying! I am assuming my rooster fertilized them, but they aren't hatching?! Can anyone tell me why?
Drumstick diva asks a good question...are the hens sitting on the eggs? Or are they just laying them and then leaving the nesting box? And have you actually seen the rooster mate with them?
G’Day from down under Chrystal Welcome! I agree with DD and N F C in that we will need more information before being able to assist. Did you know that you can tell if an egg is fertile by looking at the yolk? Obviously not on one you are hoping to hatch because you will have to crack it open, but you will be able to tell if your rooster is doing his job. If you Google Fertile Chicken Egg Images you will see a bulls eye on a fertile egg known as the blastoderm and comparisons for fertile and non fertile eggs. I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. Unlike non chicken loving friends, family and colleagues, BYC’ers never tire of stories or pictures that feature our feathered and non feathered friends
Welcome to BYC! Are you incubating your eggs in an incubator or are you wanting your hens to hatch the eggs naturally? Eggs will only develop and hatch if they are incubated - either artificially or by a hen. A hen has to be "broody" (hormones driving her to set on a nest of eggs for the 21 days it takes to hatch them) in order to incubate the eggs for you.
Greetings from Kansas, Chrystal, and ! Pleased you joined our flock! Best of luck with your hatching efforts and the thanks for joining BYC!
