How to check if eggs are Fertile?

[Ariana Martinez]

I have discovered a nest of about 15 eggs, that include chicken, duck and guenea eggs. My Pekin duck hen has been setting on them for the last couple of weeks. Usually in the mornings and after noons I see her on them. I have roosters, and one drake 3 male guneas do I assume all the eggs are most likely fertile. But how do I check to make sure?

 

[lazy gardener]

Unless she has been setting on them 24/7 there is little likelihood that they will hatch. You could sneak some eggs out of the nest and candle them to see if they are developing, or even alive.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Unless she has been setting on them 24/7 there is little likelihood that they will hatch. You could sneak some eggs out of the nest and candle them to see if they are developing, or even alive.

x2

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Unless she has been setting on them 24/7 there is little likelihood that they will hatch. You could sneak some eggs out of the nest and candle them to see if they are developing, or even alive.

X 2 - there is a difference between a truly broody bird and one that just likes to lay about on the nest for stretches of time. The latter can occur with a hen who likes to make a production out of laying - they'll be in the nest for a good stretch, get out and go about their day, come back to the nest and stay in there a while, etc until they finally lay that day's egg or even don't lay at all (I have one in particular in my flock that just likes to be in the nest boxes).