what are the chances of fertility?

[substandardtim]

We recently picked up some eggs from some chickens at a county fair and set up a make shift incubator for them. What do you guys think the chances are of any of them being fertile?

We thought it would be a cool way of adding variety to our flock without spending money.

 

[ke_ben]

I hatched 3 of 5 eggs from the county fair here. I ended up with 3 bantams, 2 MF and a barred cochin? It was kind of fun. Good luck.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

How long ago is "recently"? That will make a big difference...I'd just go ahead & incubate them, what do you have to lose? Yay for fuzzy butts!!

 

[substandardtim]

most of the eggs were pulled from the cages as they where laid that afternoon. then right away put in the incubator that evening. the temp is right at 99.5 and the relative humidity has been in the upper 80s all week. I do have a small bowl of water inside the incubator though.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

Your humidity is too high...if it's upper 80's plus the h2o in the bator, you'll get condensation in your air cells, which will drown your chicks once the pip the air cell, and the eggs have to lose a certain % of weight to develop correctly, and they can't do that if the humidity is too high...I usually run my humidity around 50-60% during incubation, and then bump into the upper 70's the last three days...elevation makes a difference in all of that, we're at about 500 ft. Also, are you using a forced air or still air incubator?


ETA: Too bad you couldn't find out if the hens were housed with a roo prior to fair! But getting them right into the 'bator was great...I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you! Keep us posted!!

 

[substandardtim]

Well at least one is fertile that I can tell so far. I know it's probably a bit early to be sure about the rest.

 

[FluffyColor]

County WHAT?My dream has come true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me and my brother and my mom and dad are going to the fair here!!!

 

[ma2babygurl13]

Love my chickies!! :

Your humidity is too high...if it's upper 80's plus the h2o in the bator, you'll get condensation in your air cells, which will drown your chicks once the pip the air cell, and the eggs have to lose a certain % of weight to develop correctly, and they can't do that if the humidity is too high...I usually run my humidity around 50-60% during incubation, and then bump into the upper 70's the last three days...elevation makes a difference in all of that, we're at about 500 ft. Also, are you using a forced air or still air incubator?


ETA: Too bad you couldn't find out if the hens were housed with a roo prior to fair! But getting them right into the 'bator was great...I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you! Keep us posted!!

So if there in condensation in the incubator this will drown the chicks in the shell??​

 

[Camelot Farms]

Quote:
Have a funnel cake for me?

We are from NY and miss the fairs back home dreadfully!

Have a great time!

 

[FluffyColor]

Quote:
Have a funnel cake for me?

We are from NY and miss the fairs back home dreadfully!

Have a great time!

You are?Are you near Monroe?I think they have animal contests.If they do,yhe woman that took my 13 chicks will probably be there.
Oh....as for the funnel cake..I used to like them...but I never finish them.