If you’re raising chickens or just curious about the eggs you collect, you might wonder: how do you know if a hen’s egg is fertilized? It’s a common question among chicken enthusiasts, especially those interested in hatching chicks or simply understanding more about their flock. The good news is, there are simple ways to tell if an egg is fertilized — and you don’t need to be a poultry expert to do it!
Let’s crack open this mystery together with easy-to-understand methods and tips.
What Does Fertilized Mean for a Hen’s Egg?
Before diving into how to identify fertilized eggs, it’s helpful to know what fertilization means. A hen’s egg is fertilized when a rooster mates with the hen, and the sperm successfully joins with the hen’s ovum (egg cell) before the shell forms. This fertilized egg has the potential to develop into a chick if incubated properly.
If there’s no rooster around, the eggs your hens lay will be unfertilized — meaning they won’t develop into chicks, no matter how long you incubate them.
How to Tell If an Egg Is Fertilized: The Two Main Methods
1. Cracking the Egg Open and Inspecting the Yolk
The quickest and most direct way to know if an egg is fertilized is to crack it open and look at the yolk. Here’s what you’re looking for:
– Fertilized Egg: On the yolk, you’ll see a small white spot called the blastoderm. It looks like a tiny bullseye or a ringed target — a clear sign that fertilization has occurred. This spot is where the embryo would start to develop.
– Unfertilized Egg: The white spot, known as the germinal disc, is still present but appears as a small, dense, plain dot without the bullseye pattern.
This method is perfect if you don’t plan to hatch the eggs but want to confirm fertilization. Just keep in mind that cracking the egg means it can no longer be incubated.
2. Candling: A Non-Invasive Way to Check Fertilization
If you want to keep the eggs intact — especially if you’re planning to hatch chicks — candling is your best friend. Candling involves shining a bright light through the egg in a dark room to see inside the shell.
Here’s how it works:
– Hold the egg close to a strong light source (a flashlight or an egg candler) in a dark room.
– Around day 5 to 7 of incubation, you should be able to see a network of veins radiating from a dark spot, which is the developing embryo.
– If the egg is clear with no dark spots or veins, it’s likely unfertilized or the embryo didn’t develop.
Candling can also help you spot cracks or other issues inside the egg without breaking it open.
Other Signs That Hint at Fertilization
– Presence of a Rooster: If your hens live with a rooster, there’s a good chance their eggs are fertilized. Roosters mate with hens, and eggs laid after mating are usually fertile.
– Broody Hen Behavior: A hen that stops laying eggs and starts sitting on a clutch is often broody, meaning she’s trying to incubate fertilized eggs. This behavior includes ruffling feathers, clucking, and spreading wings over the eggs.
– Egg Appearance: Fertilized and unfertilized eggs look identical on the outside, so you can’t tell just by looking at the shell.
What Happens After You Confirm Fertilization?
If you plan to hatch chicks, fertilized eggs need proper incubation:
– Keep eggs at a steady temperature around 99-102°F (37-39°C).
– Maintain humidity between 60-80%.
– Turn the eggs regularly to ensure even development.
– After about 20-21 days, chicks should start hatching.
Natural incubation happens when a broody hen sits on the eggs, keeping them warm and moist. You can also use an incubator for more controlled conditions.
Tips for Storing Fertilized Eggs Before Incubation
– Store eggs in a cool place (around 55°F or 13°C) with the pointed end down.
– Avoid washing eggs before storage, as this can remove the protective coating.
– Try to incubate fertilized eggs within 7 days for best hatch rates.
Summary of How to Tell If a Hen’s Egg Is Fertilized
| Method | How It Works | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crack and Inspect | Look for bullseye (blastoderm) on yolk | Quick and definitive | Egg can’t be incubated |
| Candling | Shine light through egg to see embryo veins | Non-invasive, keeps egg intact | Requires incubation time |
| Rooster Presence | Presence of rooster increases fertilization | Easy to know if rooster is around | Doesn’t guarantee fertilization |
Knowing if your hen’s eggs are fertilized is easier than you might think. Whether you want to hatch chicks or just satisfy your curiosity, these simple methods will help you identify fertilized eggs with confidence.
Enjoy your chicken-keeping adventure!
Fertilized eggs have a tiny bullseye on the yolk or visible veins inside when candled. With a little practice, you’ll be able to spot fertilized eggs easily and decide what to do next with your flock’s precious eggs.