How to raise Backyard Chickens: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Fertile Eggs

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Re: [CHICKENS-101] Fertile Eggs

The rule of thumb I've used (may not be right) is to keep the hen separate from any other roosters for 3 weeks and then put her with the desired rooster for a week before collecting any "fertile" eggs for hatching to be sure you're getting offspring from that pair. The desired rooster could be with her the whole time but the time frame and keeping her from any other roosters stands. Works for me - YMMV.
Mark

----- Original Message -----
From: CathrynTherese <cathryntherese@yahoo.com>
To: CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 06:12:10 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: [CHICKENS-101] Fertile Eggs

PS Diane, Fertility is not instant. The sperm makes it way to the an egg and the general rule is 2-3 twenty-four hour days to insure fertile hatching eggs. Eggs that are in progress will not be fertile at the time of breeding.

Cathryn rainbowsilkiesTM  in Michigan

I haven't seen anybody actually use "fortnight" in ordinary
conversation since -----well, don't know as I ever have! Only in story
books. I presume re-enactors use it some.

Well, you're supposed to keep a hen separated from the rooster
for 3 weeks if you want purebred chicks. Then pick your rooster to put in
with her. So probably a fortnight is about right, but maybe longer to
totally clear.

Interesting animal, effective immediately and can last for up
to 3 weeks. Chickens appear to be so ordinary, but are not
at all. They don't need to come into heat, don't have a monthly cycle,
they do respond to seasons, but it's just a matter of degree.
They can be fertile continuously all year round.

Diane S.