The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[delisha]

Originally Posted by Sally8

I am so drooling over all the new chicks. The incubator has been up and running for 3 - 4 days. My temps are steady. I'm ready and excited. I've been saving eggs for a week storing in temps higher than I should have, gathered eggs only 2x a day, might have froze, i'm still going for it. Every egg I cracked open for eating has been fertile. Going to take obscenely accurate notes, this hatch is mostly learning for me. Most will turn out to be mutts but of breeds I like (to eat, ha ha). So excited! So excited. So excited!
Dumb question - how can you tell that the egg is fertile by cracking it open? is it the little 'blood clot' thing or something else??? thanks

One is fertile, one is not..can you guess? Blow it up and take a look.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:

Dumb question - how can you tell that the egg is fertile by cracking it open? is it the little 'blood clot' thing or something else??? thanks

One if fertle, one is not..can you guess? Blow it up and take a look.

Can I guess too???

 

[delisha]

I'm sorry but this is kind of off topic. I am fairly new to BYC but needed to ask a question. I have 4 7 month old BO. They all started laying in October and I have been getting 3 to 4 eggs a day without fail. They are all healthy no problems. ACV in water and layer crumbles available at all times and DLM, I have one pullet that is apparently broody, no eggs under her but the others lay in the nest box next to her. I remove her at least 2 to 3 times a day to get food, water and excercise but she still insists on getting back on the nest with no eggs. I am just want to make sure her health will not suffer if I am not getting her out to eat each day. There are no eggs to sit on that are fertilized. Is this normal? Thanks I just want to do right by her. Thanks.

welcome!!

It is normal..keep pulling her off to eat, drink and get exercise..good job!!

 

[delisha]

Quote:

Dumb question - how can you tell that the egg is fertile by cracking it open? is it the little 'blood clot' thing or something else??? thanks

One if fertle, one is not..can you guess? Blow it up and take a look.

Can I guess too???
Everyone should guess..this is hard to tell pair..

 

[Leahs Mom]

Everyone should guess..this is hard to tell pair..

You're right - they are hard. I'm going to guess the one on the left is fertile. Should I say why?

 

[delisha]

Yes..it helps others who will guess..

 

[Bulldogma]

Check these out...look at the "hot pad heaters": http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_automotive?_encoding=UTF8&field-brandtextbin=Kat's&node=15684181

If that works out for you, Jeff - I'm going to share these on the blog's Gr8 Products page for sure! Keep us updated with any observations on this!

Kinda late to the party, but I just went all over the blog and it is FANTASTIC! !! love it. All I ever wanted to know, in alphabetical order

We have the best team working on this blog! Thank you for the wonderful compliment!

I'm sorry but this is kind of off topic. I am fairly new to BYC but needed to ask a question.

While I think you got your question answered, I just wanted to say Welcome to the Thread, and

http://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovato...trolled/dp/B0006U2HD2/ref=pd_bxgy_auto_text_y

Another super-neat product. Thanks for sharing!! I encourage Everyone to share neat stuff like this that you have come across or DIY projects for your coop! The good stuff will most certainly be shared on the blog!

One is fertile, one is not..can you guess? Blow it up and take a look.

It's hard for me to see in this picture, but I'm going with the one on the left.

 

[Melabella]

Leigh you super computer whiz you,, how do you get the quote pics smaller like that? You're amazing you!

I say the one on the left,, had to pull the window shade to block the glare, but I think I see the donut.

For the poster asking after, Speckled Hen put these wondeful pics up that shows it quite clear!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/16008/how-to-tell-a-fertile-vs-infertile-egg-pictures#post_132086

Which one is it Delisha?

MB

 

[jlynnet]

Looks like the one on the left has the inclusion in it. Reminds me of looking in a microscope at blood cells.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Okay...the reason I think it's the one on the left - AND I HAVE NO EXPERIENCE SO I MAY BE TOTALLY WRONG -

I'm looking at the small circular object just to the left of the yolk (about "8 o'clock") on the egg to the left in the photo. When I try to focus down close on it I see what appears to be the "bullseye" in that circle.

I HAVE seen plenty of eggs that weren't fertilized and the one on the right looks like them.