infertile eggs because of hen?

[FluffyBottomBantams]

Hello I posted this question on my introduction but I figured I’d start a new thread In case this is something other people have a question about, so here goes.

I have two hens in with a young healthy cockerel, one hens eggs (same age as the cockerel) are all fertile and doing great, the other hen is at least a year older and none of her eggs were fertile at all. Can an egg be infertile because of the hen? Is this just a coincidence? The cockerel mated with her the most so id have a hard time believing he never managed to actually fully mate. Thanks in advance!!

-FluffyBottomBantams

 

[hysop]

Are they all the same breeds? I have heard here in BYC that some hens have too much fluff near their vents that end up preventing fertilization. What they recommend is trimming the fluff if you would like fertilized eggs from them.

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

Yes they are the same breeds. Her vent doesn’t seem overly fluffy but thats a good idea. I considered doing that to a rooster in another breeding pen but it didn’t end up being a problem.

 

[George Michael]

My Bantam hen eggs aren't hatching it's already the second attempt I do this year(summer). Both my hen and my rooster are 5 years old

 

[hysop]

My Bantam hen eggs aren't hatching it's already the second attempt I do this year(summer). Both my hen and my rooster are 5 years old

Are the shells still strong and healthy? I know if the shell is brittle the chances of the embryo growing/surviving are slim.
My younger hens have healthier shells than my older ones. Not sure why since they eat the same thing. I guess the older they get the more calcium they may need

 

[George Michael]

they are somewhat more fragile than they were the previous years. I will treat my chickens like a pair of retired pensioners from now on fortunately she still lays some eggs. How long should I expect them to live before they die of natural death?

 

[hysop]

they are somewhat more fragile than they were the previous years. I will treat my chickens like a pair of retired pensioners from now on fortunately she still lays some eggs. How long should I expect them to live before they die of natural death?

Chickens live a long time. Like 8+ years. So if yours are only 5 years they still have 3-5 years left.
My first flock is still only 3 years.

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

The older hen in question laid eggs with a weird calcium deposit on every single egg so there may have been other issues with her eggs as well. Unfortunately we lost her a couple months back, but I wonder if her grand *children* will have issues with fertility as well. Although, if she was always infertile those chicks may not be related to her at all...(she was a co-broody with another red hen)