what's percentage of fertilized eggs?

[wherethebuffaloroam]

I have 1 mature rooster, and 9 mature hens. What percentage of the eggs I collect do you think are fertilized? I'm thinking about gathering and incubating.

Mike

 

[FirstTimer]

Don't call me out on this cause i am just a newbie but, wouldn't you want nature (hen doing the work) instead of yourself?

 

[Kittymomma]

I'm not sure, too many variables. I'd just look for a week or so and see what kind of job your boy is doing. SpeckledHen had a good thread with pictures on how to tell if an egg was fertile if you don't already know. Just type fertile eggs and speckledhen in the search box and it should come up.

 

[Kittymomma]

Quote:
Hens go broody when they want not you so it's not always convenient. Also, there are many breeds that rarely if ever go broody so if you want chicks you have to incubate. There are lots of other pros and cons, but those are the main two.

 

[Orpstralope]

I've never incubated and I can't give you a percentage, but I would say to watch your roo and see who he goes after. Then watch enter them in the nest box (for me the next day) and get their egg.

 

[aalbury]

I believe the hen can remain fertile for several weeks after breeding. I'd think you'd get a better rate with 5 hens (closer to 100%), but you may have a very good rate if your roo is active. I had roo that did the deed with every one of 5 hens as they descended in the morning. I hatched 5 eggs and all 5 were fertile. 1:10 ratio is still supposed to be a good ratio.

 

[hinkjc]

If you have a young, but mature rooster with that number of hens, I would guess they should all be fertile.

 

[bigdawg]

go for it. 10 hens one roo should be just fine. i have one roo and 8 hens. 100% good to go.

 

[LilRalphieRoosmama]

How old is your rooster? If he's under a year, fertility is generally 60-80%. If he's over a year or more, figure closer to 100%. My rooster is 17 months now. I put 6 eggs in and all 6 are developing. This past spring it wasn't nearly that good.

 

[sangel4you]

I'll be the downer here, of my 5 hens, there is one that my roo never mates, and one that he RARELY mates leaving me with usually 3 out of 5 eggs a day that are fertile. HE is about 2 years old and they are 10 months