Does every egg that is hatched have the potential to become a chick? Are the eggs bought in the supermarket fertilized? This may seem like a simple question, but I really do not know the answer. Either way, the concept perplexes me.

Eggs have to be fertilized. Most supermarket eggs come from factory farms where hens are caged all their lives and have no access to a rooster, thus they are not fertile.

So you are saying we don't have to have a rooster to get eggs? I'm not crazy about our rooster, the kids are scared of him.

Tina,

That is correct. Get ride of the rooster unless you want some chicks from your birds. If a person is not a breeder and has young children, it is probly better to bye day old chicks rather than keep a meen rooster. I think it is important to keep things fun for the kids and a lot of kids have been spurd by over protective roosters that end up being supper when Dad gets done with it. Not all roosters are mean, gentics and handling make a big difference. Some can be very friendly, gentle and easy to handle. You may even get more eggs without a rooster scarring the hens.

How long is a hen fertile after mating with a rooster. I believe that in a trukey there is a 17 day span. What if any time span in chickens?

Can anyone tell me what a fertile egg is supposed to look like when I candle the egg (with a flashlight) close to when it should be ready to hatch?

If you can see into the egg with a flashlight you're lucky. After 2 weeks it's easy to see a shape, and you may be able to see it moving or breathing. If you see anything slopping around in the egg close to hatch date, it's rotten. You can also smell it, sometimes they stink! You shouldn't candle too close to hatch, though,the last few days are vital for the bird. Good luck.

My Birchen modern game bird has been sitting on a bunch of eggs, but i don't know if they are fertile or not. Plus it's hard to get to the nest cause it's at the back of the cage. I also don't know if the birds have mated cause there are 2 cockerals and 2 pullets in the same cage. On of the pullets have been sitting and the other has just been laying. What do I do?

must the chickens (hens and or roosters) be kept in a coop all day? can't i just put them in the coop at night to protect them from predators?

oh course you can put them up for the night. Thats actually the thing to do!

Anonymous, it isn't necessary to keep them in a coop all day but you need to provide protection for them at all times. For example, you can read many posts about dog attacks that happen during the day. They can also be taken by birds of prey from above. Many use large fenced areas for the chickens to roam during the day. Best of luck.

Does The Hen Know which eggs are fertile?
Can she pick them apart from others? I Have Pekins.

No way!

Hi - we recently moved to a farm with 15 acres. My husband got 24 chickens. There are 3 roosters with the 21 hens. We just divided one group off by themselves with about 8 hens and 1 rooster. I am wondering about the ratio of hens and roosters. Also had a question about eating the eggs. Obviously, since they are staying together - all the eggs are potentially fertilized. So is it okay to eat these eggs and is there a time frame that makes them not okay. For instance, if we collect every day, but they have been in our fridge for a week, are they developing in any way and should not be eaten?? Thanks for any info.

Wyattfarm. Not to worry, not you or anyone can tell a fertilized egg from an infertile one--not looks, not taste--no way to tell. They are all exactly the same, well almost, as until an egg is incubated there is no development at all, but a fertilized egg has the potential to be hatched--the only difference. And even all eggs from the hens with the rooster will not be fertile--and no way to tell until set under a hen or in an incubator, when, after 4-6 days, they are "candled" and a forming embryo of the fertile eggs can be seen through the shell. So enjoy your eggs, collect them and refrigerated them as usual--they will all keep for weeks and still be "fresh" and good to eat. Enjoy, CJR

I thought a fertilized egg had a tiny red dot when cracked open. If not, what is the dot from?

Tulip, All yolks have that dot, sometimes barely seen, sometimes as large as 1/4inch. It is the germinal disc, and is where the embryo will begin, if the egg is fertilized. Each layer of an egg is an amazing complex structure, and how the hen produces it is an interesting discovery in itself! CJr

Thanks cjeanr - Many people are telling us to seperate the roosters from the hens. Most of them think it is gross to eat a fertilized egg, but some of them are talking about there just being too many roosters for the amount of hens. The roosters do seem to want to mate quite alot. I am just wondering if the hens will lay eggs more if they are seperated. Right now we are lucky if we see one egg per day. And we have 21 hens. Also wondered about putting seven dust on their wings and about shots or vitamins. Thanks alot!!!!!