Little chicks

[JBA188]

We have just acquired a rampant ******* for our 6 hens (which we have only had a few weeks but have had loads of eggs from). How can you tell if an egg is unfertilised or not? In other words how long does it take for a little chick to hatch?

[Clanad]

If fertilized, you'd be able to determine that within about a week after the egg is laid. For a relatively small amount of eggs, you can do the inspection with a small flashlight. It's called candeling... just hold the egg in front of a small but focused flashlight in a semi-darkened room. A fertilized egg will show an embryo clearly through the egg shell. Don't mistake a small blood spot which are in a small number of eggs and has nothing to do with fertilization. It takes about 21 days for them to hatch... By the way, here's what to look for:
http://www.homestead.com/shilala/candling.html

Here's some homemade candlers... I use the box one... One can purchase the devices from various sources at fairly reasonable costs... Best of luck!
http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/eggs/res25-candle r.html

[mont6660]

Hi
I usually candle the eggs by putting a torch under a toilet roll! the cardboard tube is about the right diameter unless you have really small eggs! The eggs usually take about 3 weeks after the hen starts sitting. Good luck (though its getting a bit cold for chicks now!

[wildwood]

Unless you are experienced in such matters, you can not tell if a fresh egg is fertile or not. After a rooster is introduced you need to wait 4 days or so before you can expect the eggs that are laid to be fertile.

You know ofcourse, that a broody hen needs to sit on and keep the eggs warm in order for them to develop into chicks.

[persianlady]

JBA188.... I did not know rooster was a rude word! loll

[wildwood]

persianlady, roosters are also known as c0cks by many people. It is just that that word has to be 'encrypted' to show up here.

[persianlady]

Wilwood..... I do know that! I just found it hilarious that the moderater chose to delete this word. Ridiculous considering the subject of the post.
Do people who raise chickens not have a sense of humour?
No offence intended.

[wildwood]

persianlady,
did you know that I didn't know that you knew that?

As you are new here you may not realise that 'rude' words are ****ed automatically by Answerbank's computer. It may seem frivolous here where the word would have been appropriate but the word filter is indiscriminate as to the category. The Moderator only physically edits submissions when they violate AB's rules, or they are deemed to be (not necessarily the same thing).