How to know if an egg has been fertilized?

[firsthouse_mp]

We can't have roosters in our city and so I don't have any roos (or fears that my hens have laid fertilized eggs) but.....IF I wanted to incubate some eggs, can I just go to my friend's flock in a neighboring city that has a rooster and grab a few of her eggs to incubate? So, all her eggs should be fertilized, right?

 

[suebee]

They should be. Incubate them for a week then candle them. If you see spider veins then it's fertilized. A non fertilized egg will be clear.

 

[debilorrah]

Yes, however, you have to know there is no guarantee you will hatch out only pullets. In fact, it IS guaranteed you will get at least one rooster, so plan on a re-home ahead of time.

 

[firsthouse_mp]

Very good point about the re-homing! I purchased straight run chicks and out of 6 chicks, have yet to get a roo....good reminder! Thank you! And thanks also for the fact about the spider veins. Will have to think about this a bit more before I jump in.