How to tell when eggs are fertile?

[terrilhb]

I have 3 roosters and 11 hens. I am getting eggs everyday. I see my rooster getting the hens, but how do I know if the eggs are fertile? I have looked with a flashlight but can not see anything. Not that I know what I am looking for LOL. We want to incubate some starting next week. Thanks for any help.

 

[Dar]

you wont see anything with a flash light until they have been incubated for a few days

in order to see if you have fertile eggs you have to open a few (sacrifice them) and look for the bulls eye

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

 

[enggass]

I'm no expert by any means, but I think to check for fertility you have to take a sample egg and crack it open. Look for a small bullseye(ish) mark in the yoke. White I believe.
I could be totally wrong, but I think that's what I read. Do a search. Someone posted pictures a while back... Once 'Rooed', a hen lays fertile eggs for about 3 weeks +/-.

EDIT: Our posts crossed... That's the link I was referring to.

 

[chickenlady08]

To be honest I am not sure of any way to tell if the eggs are fertile. Usually if you see the rooster mounting the hen then more than likely the egg should be fertilized. The thing is to get the eggs from the hens that you saw mating with the rooster and with 11 hens it may be tough to do.

Maybe someone else has some input for you but Good Luck with hatching. I have never used an incubator before, I have had many broody hens to hatch my chicks for me and I can candle them or different days to see the development.

 

[halo]

Theres a sticky at the top of this forum with a lot of links in it; I think theres one for determining fertility in eggs.