So how do I keep this ball rolling?

[Anthony-Smith]

Hey y'all!

Got a quick question for ya. Too keep things short, I just found a fertile egg from one of my hens (first time ever for me)! Normally I gather the eggs every day or every other day. This time it was a few days before I got to them (intentionally, as my hen was broody for the first time). I decided to candle them after a few days of her sitting on em, and lo and behold, there were veins!

So I have been wanting fertile eggs for quite some time, and these are the first I've seen! So my question is this:

If I were to crack open an egg the day after it was laid, would I be able to tell if it were fertilized? If not, how many days until I'd be able to tell? The reason I ask is that, maybe more have been fertile and I just have been eating them too soon to be able to tell?

And my second question: If it takes a few days before one can tell if they are fertile, what is y'alls methods for seeing if eggs are fertile before you eat them?

Here is my dilemma: I want MOMMA HEN to hatch them, not an incubator. So from now on should I leave the eggs in the coop while she sits on them for a few days before removing them, and THEN candle them before determining if I need to eat them? What if she is not actively broody at the moment? Will I NEED an incubator to see if they are fertile?

In essence, I'm clueless as to how to do any of this (well, I guess not clueless, but just need some guidance)


Thanks in advance!!

Anthony

 

[Tre3hugger]

You can tell a fertile egg as soon as it is hatched, however fertile and infertile look quite similiar.

I'll leave the brooding advice to someone else, as I am currently dealing with my first broody also.

 

[mailmamm]

I'm on day 20 of hatching naturally. My hens is extremely grouchy today. Full guard dog mode! I think we are close.

As far as telling fertile or not before cracking I can't say. But I candled my eggs about 5 days in and could see veining. I don't have a rooster, got eggs from someone else. I marked the eggs before putting them under my hen so I could tell which ones were fertile. There are threads that show pictures of eggs day by day. Candleing for me was just using a strong flash light held right up against the egg in a totally dark coop.

 

[Anthony-Smith]

You can tell a fertile egg as soon as it is hatched, however fertile and infertile look quite similiar.
View attachment 2152050
View attachment 2152052
I'll leave the brooding advice to someone else, as I am currently dealing with my first broody also.

In other words, If I were to crack that egg right after she layed it, I should be able to see that white spot?

 

[Tre3hugger]

A non fertile egg will have a small white spot. A fertile egg will have a small white spot with a faint white ring around it, like a bullseye. If you do crack one, snap a pic and post it on here if you want. We can help confirm fertility. @Anthony-Smith

 

[de kippendame]

In other words, If I were to crack that egg right after she layed it, I should be able to see that white spot?

Yes, you should be able to see the "bullseye" right after she lays it. It does not need to be incubated for any amount of time to be able to see the blastoderm when you crack it. As the pictures above show if it's only a white dot, not fertile. White dot with a ring around it (bullseye) fertile.

 

[de kippendame]

Here is my dilemma: I want MOMMA HEN to hatch them, not an incubator. So from now on should I leave the eggs in the coop while she sits on them for a few days before removing them, and THEN candle them before determining if I need to eat them? What if she is not actively broody at the moment? Will I NEED an incubator to see if they are fertile?

Generally, it's best to wait to give a hen eggs until you know she's broody, but if she's actively sitting and you are seeing veins, she's likely broody. Broody's act differently, she'll likely puff up and give you the evil eye when you try to mess with her eggs.

When I have a broody, I collect a few eggs for her then when I know she's for sure broody and will stay nested in my designated broody room space, I give them to her.

Bottom line, if you have a rooster, more than likely you have fertile eggs. Which can be eaten exactly like an unfertile egg or saved for incubation.

 

[50-45-1]

If you have a rooster with your hens, it is almost certain most of your hens eggs are fertle.
One mating by your rooster will keep that particular hens eggs fertle for 3 to 4 weeks.
Set up a broody box for your hen where she can set for 3 weeks with no interruptions or bother from the other hens. You can save hatching eggs for a week at temps around 55 to 65 degrees. Put them in an egg carton pointy end down. And tilt the carton alternating ends each day. If she is a standard size hen she should be able to incubate up to 10 or 12 standard eggs. Let her sit on golf balls or fake eggs until you have the eggs ready.
It is important that all the eggs start at the same time so they hatch at the same time.
Keep us updated.