How long after rooster exposure before I can set their eggs?

[WalkingOnSunshine]

I have a rooster with 25 hens. I know he can't really cover all of them, so I separated him with the three hens I want babies from. How many days before I can start saving eggs for the incubator?

 

[flakey chick]

Start cracking them open and look for the bullseye. If they are fertilized, you should be able to see a white spot in a distinct bullseye pattern.

 

[WalkingOnSunshine]

That's wonderfully practical advice. Thanks!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Here's ths link for fertile egg pictures if you need it.

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

You probably don't need these either but I find them good sources of information and refreshers if you are saving eggs for incubation.


http://gallus.tamu.edu/Extension publications/b6092.pdf

http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/pages/publicationD.jsp?publicationId=62

Good Luck!