Rooster Questions!!!

[Aw-Ee Chicken]

Hi, I want to start hatching my own chicks soon but I'm stuck on the rooster's part. When he mates with a hen, is the egg (whether it has a shell or not) immediately fertilized? Or do I have to wait until the egg that's done 'growing' and ready-to-lay comes out, and then then next will be fertilized? In other words, do I let the hen cycle an egg out and the next upcoming egg will be chick-worthy?
Please help!!!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The egg has a very narrow window in which fertilization will take place and this window is closed by the time the shell is in place - once mating starts taking place (keep in mind if you are introducing the rooster it can take time for the hens to begin allowing him to mate them) I would suggest waiting 4+ days, collect a few eggs and crack them to check the germinal disc for the tell-tale bullseye that indicates the egg has been fertilized. Once you start noting fertility in the majority of eggs checked you would collect for hatching.

 

[Aw-Ee Chicken]

Thanks for replying!

So just take any eggs from the nest; doesn't matter which ones? But that sounds like a plan. I'll do that. Thanks a lot and appreciated!