This is a fertile egg, no?

[MissPrissy]

I highly doubt you are getting self-fertile eggs. It is a very rare occurrance but on occassion does happen. The eggs, according to the program, rarely develop beyond a few days and the occurance of the phenomenon happens once every few thousand eggs.

You should be looking at the nutrition of your breeding stock first. Eating eggs and breeding eggs have different nutritional needs.

Heat stress this time of year is another factor. Also possibly bacteria etc.

This time of year hens start to slow down, their bodies are tired, and eggs may not be at their hatching best as they near molting season.

 

[dancingbear]

Oh, ok, I didn't know they were that rare. Well, that's ok then, I'd rather have normally fertile eggs to work with, anyway!

It could be just the time of year. My previous hatches have been good. I don't think I've set eggs in the 'bator this late in the year, before. Maybe a fall hatch will do better.

Thanks for all the great info.