No luck

[J.D]

Hi guys, so my first broody ended up with 0 chicks (all early death or yolkers and one died after it pipped) and now I have another broody, she was sitting on 7 eggs, she smashed one, I’ve candled 6 , 5 empty and 1 that looks like something’s happened but I don’t think it looks right? (Picture below - 8 days in same egg three different angles )


I have a rooster who I’ve seen doing his job so I feel a little deflated that I seem to be having no luck with chicks

Any advice?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Not sure about the egg. I see no veins, but there's definitely something in there.

Could your rooster be infertile? Have you cracked open eggs and looked for fertility?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Also, @Pyxis?

 

[sourland]

What breed are your chickens, and how old are they ? Reasons for infertility can be poor health of birds, excessive age of birds or inability of the rooster to 'make contact'. Overly fluffy breeds of oversized or arthritic roosters have difficulty getting the job done. Owners of overly fluffy breeds frequently have to pluck vent feathers on the hens and roosters.

 

[chickens really]

Maybe time for a new Rooster.

 

[J.D]

My birds are roughly two years old and they are orpington (large fowl not bantam) so maybe the feathers are the issue? I know he is fertile as one of the first batch of eggs did have a chick inside but it died after it pipped

 

[chickens really]

I have a Huge Brahma that breeds my Orpington. Doubted it's a fluffy butt issue..

 

[Krazyquilts]

My birds are roughly two years old and they are orpington (large fowl not bantam) so maybe the feathers are the issue? I know he is fertile as one of the first batch of eggs did have a chick inside but it died after it pipped

What are you feeding them? I've heard that some breeders who are focusing more on hatching eggs and chick sales than just eggs for eating will often feed their breeding stock a higher protein diet.

 

[Morrigan]

Have you ever had a successful hatch with this rooster? That number of clears and failures makes believe that there is something amiss with the health or genetics of this rooster.

Only other thought is to ask how the eggs in the clutches were accumulated. Old or improperly stored eggs will tend to have hatch issues.

 

[J.D]

I’m just feeding them layers pellets and then corn for scratching around the pen, I haven’t had a successful hatch yet no, I’ve only had these birds around 6 months as a dog got my last flock

The woman told me he had a good success rate but maybe she was telling fibs ...