How long after an egg is laid will still it show as fertile?

[igorsMistress]

Hi all,

Since there's a window of opportunity to hatch eggs, is there a window of opportunity to verify fertility? I have eggs from my EE that are a couple of weeks old and I'm wondering if I can check those? Hubs gave away the more recent eggs from her to a neighbor who was in a pinch and needed some groceries.

Thanks for your help!

IM

 

[BGcoop]

Oooo good question!

 

[ldrchickens]

Hi all,

Since there's a window of opportunity to hatch eggs, is there a window of opportunity to verify fertility? I have eggs from my EE that are a couple of weeks old and I'm wondering if I can check those? Hubs gave away the more recent eggs from her to a neighbor who was in a pinch and needed some groceries.

Thanks for your help!

IM

You should see a bulls-eye on the yolk showing that it is fertile. Here is a link. https://www.google.com/search?q=fer...AUIDygC&biw=1904&bih=960#imgrc=dkd4bZstYUf1QM: I am not for sure being as old as your eggs are if it still hold true.

 

[sourland]

Prior to incubation, the only way to verify fertility is by the bullseye, and it is necessary to break the egg to see that. Back in the dark ages I kept eggs longer than 2 weeks and generally had relatively high % hatches. I had one metal Sears incubator. I would fill it with eggs, incubate, hatch, disinfect and start all over again. A lot has to do with how eggs are stored. I kept them in an earthen cellar - 65 F and 50 to 60 % humidity - turning them twice daily. I'd give the eggs a try and candle around 5 to 7 days depending upon how dark the eggs are. Good luck.

 

[igorsMistress]

You should see a bulls-eye on the yolk showing that it is fertile. Here is a link. https://www.google.com/search?q=fer...AUIDygC&biw=1904&bih=960#imgrc=dkd4bZstYUf1QM: I am not for sure being as old as your eggs are if it still hold true.

Thanks drchickens! I didn't want to crack the egg if it wouldn't show anything after a period of time. We have a match.

Prior to incubation, the only way to verify fertility is by the bullseye, and it is necessary to break the egg to see that. Back in the dark ages I kept eggs longer than 2 weeks and generally had relatively high % hatches. I had one metal Sears incubator. I would fill it with eggs, incubate, hatch, disinfect and start all over again. A lot has to do with how eggs are stored. I kept them in an earthen cellar - 65 F and 50 to 60 % humidity - turning them twice daily. I'd give the eggs a try and candle around 5 to 7 days depending upon how dark the eggs are. Good luck.

Thanks Sour. I'm planning for the Easter HAL. I checked, definitely fertile so hopefully she'll start laying more consistently soon.