hatching eggs taken from the nest

[Dee Dee 2]

Okay, please don't laugh at my lack of knowledge but I have a question. If you have roosters in your flock, and they are 'pretty busy' with the hens I would assume the eggs would be fertal. Can you take eggs from the nests and incubate them to raise more chicks ? Personally I do not find incubating eggs fun. Did it once ~ swore never again. Never say never. haha BUT I have a little Buff Orph. and would like to have some chicks from her. My roo's are a HUGE R.C.R.I.R. and a Jersey Giant that as far as standards go is a 'flop'. Just curious. Has anyone ever done this ?

 

[Kelsie2290]

Yes, you can incubate eggs you collect, as long as they are fertile they should hatch ... that is what most people who hatch eggs from their own chickens do. You can crack open some of your Buffs eggs and see if they are fertile (check for the bullseye), if the ones you check are, the rest should be also. You do need to store the eggs properly if you are not going to set them in the incubator right away. Brinsea has a nice article on handling / storing hatching eggs before you set them http://brinsea.com/customerservice/storage.html If you are talking about taking eggs from a broody hen that has been sitting on them and putting those eggs in an incubator, you can also do that, just take the number of days she has been sitting on them into account when figuring out lockdown and hatch dates. Not sure if you have seen it. there is a really really nice article in the Learning Center on hatching eggs, it has pictures of what to look for so far as the bullseye on fertile eggs etc https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-101

 

[Dee Dee 2]

Thank you for such a nice reply to my hatching eggs from nest question. NOW another question. DUUUUGH ! What is the 'bullseye' ? Is that a slightly different color in center top the yellow (yoak) ? I haven't noticed t in any of my eggs ~ but then I wasen't looking for it either. What is the heavier stringey substance that is in the white of the egg attached to the yoak ? My Mon hates it and always takes it out . (^v^) Thanks !

 

[Dee Dee 2]

p.s. love your black fuzzy chicken ~ don't know the breed sorry.