How do you tell?

[team_realtree]

My flock will have 1 rooster so how do I know whether the egg is fertile or not since I am trying to hatch them? Will you be able to candle them and tell right after day 1?

Also if the hen is not broody and will let me get at the egg wouldn't it be dead because she has neglected to keep it warm?

 

[Countrywife]

If you do a search, there are some great pictures that show fertilized eggs.

 

[gvntofly05]

There is a great sticky at the top of the incubating forum. It has lot of info in it. Including how to tell if an egg is fertile.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16008

 

[team_realtree]

Also if the hen is not broody and will let me get at the egg wouldn't it be dead because she has neglected to keep it warm?

 

[slickchik]

The embryo won't begin developing until the egg is incubated. Fertile eggs can sit for 7-10 days before incubation. That is how a clutch of eggs will hatch all on the same day (roughly) because the hen won't sit on them until she is done laying. When she is done laying, she begins to sit on them and then the embryos begin to develop.

 

[Tala]

Quote:
That's also how we can hatch eggs that have been in the mail for a few days

 

[team_realtree]

Quote:
That's also how we can hatch eggs that have been in the mail for a few days

Thanks for the information I wondered how everyone was buying eggs online and still hatching....clears that up!