Author Topic: Fertile egg question (Read 2294 times)

Connor · « **on:** January 08, 2014, 11:47:27 am »

My gold Silkie laid her first egg today and the rooster is running with her so how do I know if it is defo fertile I cracked it open and seen 3-4 dark brown dots in the yolk is this a sign of fertility?

clydesdaleclopper · « **Reply #1 on:** January 08, 2014, 12:04:05 pm »

The only way to tell is to incubate them for about 10 days and then candle them.

lord flynn · « **Reply #2 on:** January 08, 2014, 12:40:54 pm »

dark/blood spots aren't an indicator of a fertile egg

chrismahon · « **Reply #3 on:** January 08, 2014, 01:54:52 pm »

You need to look for the 'blastoderm' Connor. It is a cluster of cells on the surface of the yolk and becomes more visible with an egg stored in a cool place (not a cold fridge) for over 5 days. In that time we have noticed the few cells divide further and the blastoderm enlarges until it is about 3mm across. It is a circular pale, opaque white, spot on the surface. When you see it you will know what I am describing. Darkbrowneggs has (or had) a web site with pictures, but Google 'blastoderm' anyway. These are the cells that are the start of the embryo and then become a chick. Crack the egg into a small bowl and examine the yolk under a magnifying glass. You may need to turn the yolk over with a teaspoon to check the other side.

Clansman · « **Reply #4 on:** January 08, 2014, 01:56:06 pm »

The only way to tell without opening them is to incubate them.

If you open them you can see the difference between a fertile and infertile egg but it kinda defeats the object

Infertile

Fertile

****EDIT*****

What Chris said!

here's the pictures

doganjo · « **Reply #5 on:** January 08, 2014, 02:19:57 pm »

You could open one egg and find it was fertile then try to incubate a whole,lot assuming the cockerel was always hitting the spot, and none of them hatch - so why not cut out the middle step and incubate a few to see how it goes?