Ok I need some advise on my flock and what to do. As some might know I was going to pick up two ex show hens from a breeder near me. I got my two girls but what I thought I was getting and what I ended up with was two very different things. Ok first off there was a ton of people there, members of the club got first pick and then the general public where allowed in. So that there was enough to go around we where only allowed two each which was fine so Dad and I waiting untill it cleared a bit (because he is blind and to many people are two hard for him) when we finally got upto the pens there where a few big fat scruffy looking hens left. I asked why there where so scruffy and was told they had been in the breeding pens and any eggs they lay in the next 5 days will be fertile. I thought this was strange and asked him why he was not keeping them and he told me as neither of these hens where going broody and so he did not have time to keep transferring the eggs and then making sure that he marked them and none broody hens are no use to him. So I got my new girls home, they are a bt freaked out so locked them in their coop and will let them settle tonight and then will see about letting them out tomorrow. However what should I do with the eggs it the next few days? I can't get my hands on an incubator so was wondering if anyone knows of a really cheap easy to make that will let me try and hatch these eggs (if they lay but a few breeders there said that my chances are really good) Either way so not the situation I thought I was going into and I know I should have walked away but found out that those who did not get sold where going to the table so I could not let them get killed so took them. (yes I am a bleeding heart) Any suggestions would be great
I have no experience with hatching eggs, since I never have hatched eggs, but I have heard that hens are stile fertile from being with the rooster until about 15 days after being taken away from a rooster. heres the the MissPrissy homemade incubator https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8510&p=1 I'm sure someone will pipe in here who actually has some experience with hatching eggs!LOL
Not quite sure what your problem is. If you got them for eggs, just collect them and eat them. You can make a homemade incubator, but it will take some time and research: you need an old computer fan, among other things. A search here will reveal the directions.
ddawn my issues is i just can't "give up" on a fertile egg, sorry I am a bleeding heart. I have no issues eating an egg that is not fertile ut knowing that it might be then I would rather have a go at letting them hatch going to try and build the bator and go from there, if nothing happens then fine if I end up with babies then I will deal with that
Well for the first few days that they are layed there is no chick being developed. If you ate them you wouldnt bekilling a chick cause its the ame as a non-fertile egg
yeah I know but I just look at it and feel funny and have to at the very least try and hatch them told you I was a bleeding heart
If this is the case, you need to NEVER EVER have a rooster, because there will be fertile eggs if he is in with your hens.
Not allowed an rooster either way! (which my dad is glad about as then I would never eat the eggs) Told you guys I was a bleeding heart!
