Chicken eggs and fertilisation?

Question

Sorry to be thick but does the cockerel fertilise the hen or the egg. We are trying to build up our own free range eggs and we have to know what to do. Are there any cheap incubators we are on a low budget. Thanks ,look forward to a reply.

Answer 1

Your rooster will mount and mate with your hens, fertilizing the egg prior to it being laid.  Are you trying to get into the egg business or selling chicks, or both?  We do both (on a small scale) and there are different methods of going about it.

If you are inexperienced and trying to build a flock, you will have much better luck if you start off with ordering your chicks from a hatchery.  The initial investment for about 200 laying hens is going to be several hundred dollars, but the time and energy used to breed, collect eggs, candle for fertility, buy incubators, RUN incubators and raise chicks to adult laying age is not exactly cheaper or easier for a beginner.  Besides, particularly as you seem to be looking for hens, you can order a sexed run (pullets only) for a little more money, but you're guaranteed all hens when they mature.

Eventually, as you get some mature birds, they will often go broody on their own, and will incubate and hatch their own chicks for you.  I raise silkies and I've never owned an incubator, but I hatch about 100 a year on the average.  You may even consider getting a couple of brooders, such as a turkin.  They're known for being one of the most reliable brooders.

I keep a mixed flock with about 25 layers and 35 bantams.  I'm slowly increasing my number of layers and decreasing my number of fancy breeds.  I've found that there is more of a demand (especially lately) for layers, both people buying birds for their own backyard eggs, or to have a reliable supplier of farm raised, free range eggs.  Store eggs sell for about $2.89 a dozen right now and are terrible.  I've been selling fresh eggs for $3.00 without arguments for over a year and can barely keep up with demand at the farmers market.

You also should pick up a copy of Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens.  It is a great reference source that I think every poultry owner should own.  You can get a copy at your local feed store.  It will cover all the basics of setup for you as well.

If you are getting into the egg business (for eating, not hatching), please do your research, as there are certain tricks to properly storing eggs for consumption.  Definitely follow the guidelines and the safe handling procedures, as most states are very strict with regulations of selling farm eggs.

Hope this helps and feel free to email me with more questions!

Answer 2

The hen. Tractor supply co. has medium incubators for 40.00, that is about as cheap as you can get. If you don't have a TSC any local farm supply store will have them, all for about 40.00 each.  

Answer 3

The egg is fertilised inside the hen.

Answer 4

go to mypetchicken.com and the roster fertilises the hen  

Answer 5

the hen