1. Do they have to mate the same day the egg is laid?

My hen laid her 6th egg today, but I was asleep in my room all day so the lights were out. So they didn't get to mate before the egg was laid most probably (unless they can mate in the dark???).

 

Is there a chance this egg could be fertile?

 

They did mate yesterday. Usually I see them mating even on the day, a few hours before an egg is laid.

 

2 eggs are fertile so far. Will candle another egg tomorrow to know if that is fertile too. 1st egg was infertile, 2nd was broken.

 

 

2. Is there a way to assume that a hen is done laying eggs the day she lays her last egg?

 

She laid 6 eggs this time. She laid 4 eggs the last time. So there's a possibility this might have been her last this clutch, but I don't know for sure.

 

I know if there's another one I'll see it the day after tomorrow. But can I look for any signs that can confirm she's done or there's another on the way?

Edited November 25, 201212 yr by Rashu

1. Do they have to mate the same day the egg is laid?

My hen laid her 6th egg today, but I was asleep in my room all day so the lights were out. So they didn't get to mate before the egg was laid most probably (unless they can mate in the dark???).

 

Is there a chance this egg could be fertile?

 

They did mate yesterday. Usually I see them mating even on the day, a few hours before an egg is laid.

 

2 eggs are fertile so far. Will candle another egg tomorrow to know if that is fertile too. 1st egg was infertile, 2nd was broken.

 

 

2. Is there a way to assume that a hen is done laying eggs the day she lays her last egg?

 

She laid 6 eggs this time. She laid 4 eggs the last time. So there's a possibility this might have been her last this clutch, but I don't know for sure.

 

I know if there's another one I'll see it the day after tomorrow. But can I look for any signs that can confirm she's done or there's another on the way?

 

! No....The egg could be fertile.... They mate when they feel like it

2 You will know when she finishes laying....If she doesn't lay for two days you will know she has stopped.

Mating once could be enough to fertilize eggs for up to two weeks.

 

In general, I wouldn't worry about when they are going to stop laying. Like BJ said, when they stop coming, she's done. I have not yet had a hen lay an egg after the first chick hatched though. They can usually get 9 in before one hatches, and that's the largest size clutch I usually get.

 

Kaz used to have a hen, Omelette, who would lay a lot more eggs than that though. So maybe she kept laying after the chicks started hatching.