Chicken questions

[boneaddict]

Biggest issue of self propagating has to do with genetics and inbreeding after a time unless you rotate or bum some roosters every once in awhile.

Barred rocks are arguably one of the better brown egg producers and you will have a pretty good percentage of possible brooders.   Again, its possible to have a broody Rhode Island, but not as likely.   Thats one of the reasons folks like them as most raising eggs don't want to lose production.   

Sometimes its good to have a good producer (rooster and hens) and then have a couple extra Cochins or other species for brooding.   You'll have an occasional cross you might want to cull.

[boneaddict]

I understand Sirmissalot.    When you get going, let me know and I can help you as much as possible and try to keep it simple for you.   I have raised chickens since I was 5 or six and have had a multitude of species and birds since.

[sirmissalot]

Awesome, thanks bone thats a great offer

[huntingfool7]

Silkies are the broodiest birds that we own.  I have a black silkie that's looking broody now. 

We also have a Black Copper Marans hen that hatched/raised chicks for us last year.
Much prefer having the hen do the brooding.  No heat lamp to fuss over and a lot less work from me.

Should look on backyardchickens.com at some pictures of eggs that have been fertilized.  Next time you're frying some up, you'll know if your cock is getting the job done.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Awesome, thanks bone thats a great offer

What he really means is that he's looking for someone to pawn his excess chickens onto.  (That's what I did to my cousin a long time ago.  )  they can reproduce faster than the flu virus!   

[sirmissalot]

Silkies are the broodiest birds that we own.  I have a black silkie that's looking broody now. 

We also have a Black Copper Marans hen that hatched/raised chicks for us last year.
Much prefer having the hen do the brooding.  No heat lamp to fuss over and a lot less work from me.

Should look on backyardchickens.com at some pictures of eggs that have been fertilized.  Next time you're frying some up, you'll know if your cock is getting the job done.

That's kinda cool, I guess this means his swimmers are workin?

[lokidog]

Yep.   

[Kioti]

Not too sure about chickens.  We raise ducks and geese for the market; eggs and meat.
We have had the same problem with some of our ducks not being broody.  I use to use a incubator but found it to be too much trouble.   
The one duck I found that is the best for hatching eggs is our Muscovy ducks.  The female is excellent at hatching eggs, without question.
We have had our female Muscovy ducks hatch chicken eggs and even a goose egg...which was interesting to see.
Of our hundred of so ducks and geese, the Muscovy duck is the best for hatching eggs.
AS with any breeding program, you have to make sure you don't get into back breeding.

The best part about ducks and geese is they smoke up real good!

[Fishstiq]

Silkies are the broodiest birds that we own.  I have a black silkie that's looking broody now. 

We also have a Black Copper Marans hen that hatched/raised chicks for us last year.
Much prefer having the hen do the brooding.  No heat lamp to fuss over and a lot less work from me.

Should look on backyardchickens.com at some pictures of eggs that have been fertilized.  Next time you're frying some up, you'll know if your cock is getting the job done.

That's kinda cool, I guess this means his swimmers are workin?

I'm missing something... looks like a normal egg to me.   Is that fertilized or unfertilized, and how do you tell?

[MrsTurkeyFeather]

I'm missing something... looks like a normal egg to me.   Is that fertilized or unfertilized, and how do you tell?

I was told to look for a small red "dot" in the yolk, but Im not seeing that here....is there another way to tell??

[Heredoggydoggy]

I'm missing something... looks like a normal egg to me.   Is that fertilized or unfertilized, and how do you tell?

I was told to look for a small red "dot" in the yolk, but Im not seeing that here....is there another way to tell??

   Looks like a plain ol' fried egg to me! 

[Kioti]

To check the fertility of an chicken egg, simply break an egg or egg(s) in a smooth bowl. You should see a white mark on the yolk. If you do not, use a spoon to flip the yolk over until you locate it.

If the egg is fertile, the white mark will be nearly perfectly round and in the center it will be yellow; it will resemble a donut. If it is infertile, the white mark will not be very round, and in most cases, smaller than that of the fertile mark. If the egg is not fertile, the 'white mark' is called a "blastodisc". If the egg is fertile, the 'white mark' it is called a "blastoderm", and this means that cell division,because of fertilization, occurred.

[Heredoggydoggy]

Thanks!  I figured you had to look for something.  Just wasn't sure what...

[Kioti]

About the red blood spot in your eggs.... blood from the chicken can get into the yolk occasionally while the egg is being formed, especially if she experiences any stress during the process and this can happen when a blood vessel ruptures during the production of an egg.

I hope this answers you question about the fertility of eggs and the blood spot that maybe be present.  Even with a blood spot, the egg is edible.  Just spoon out the dark spot and cookem up.

Of all the years of selling duck and goose eggs I have never had a customer come back to me and complain about blood spots on their eggs.

[huntingfool7]

To check the fertility of an chicken egg, simply break an egg or egg(s) in a smooth bowl. You should see a white mark on the yolk. If you do not, use a spoon to flip the yolk over until you locate it.

If the egg is fertile, the white mark will be nearly perfectly round and in the center it will be yellow; it will resemble a donut. If it is infertile, the white mark will not be very round, and in most cases, smaller than that of the fertile mark. If the egg is not fertile, the 'white mark' is called a "blastodisc". If the egg is fertile, the 'white mark' it is called a "blastoderm", and this means that cell division,because of fertilization, occurred.

Fertilized - the white spot looks like a bullseye.