Are you wondering how bird eggs get fertilized? This article will walk you through the egg fertilization process and other informative details you may wish to know. So, read on for more information!

Birds undergo internal fertilization, where the sperm pass through the cloaca and get in contact with the ovum inside a bird’s body. After fertilization, the ovum becomes the nucleus, which entails the yolk and a protective membrane. A well-fertilized egg contains a thin fluid membrane called the amnion, forming a closed sac containing the embryo.

An egg is then laid after it is fully formed in the uterus. Afterward, a bird sits on the laid eggs for incubation to provide sufficient warmth, where the embryo turns into a chick. Sometimes, you can incubate the fertilized eggs to feed them according to the incubation requirements. Note that only fertilized eggs successfully hatch into viable chicks.

Therefore, if you have birds in your home, it is crucial to blend the two genders to create grounds for mating during their breeding phase. Mostly, male birds attract females using their vocals, mount them on their backs, and press them tightly to release the sperm responsible for fertilization. With two female birds with no male counterparts, they will probably lay unfertilized eggs that will not hatch into chicks.

How Do You Know If a Bird Egg Is Fertilized?

You can easily tell if a bird egg is fertilized by applying any of the following methods:

1. Candling

This is where you examine an egg in a dark room and shine a bright light through it after it has been incubated for a few days. 

For a fertilized egg, you will notice the following five things:

1. A dark spot in the middle of the yolk that resembles a bull’s eye.

2. Veins run through the entire egg.

3. An opaque shape of an embryo at the larger end of the egg.

4. There will be some random movement from the egg.

5. Blood rings are observable in the egg, especially when the embryo has stopped developing.

6. If an egg has not been incubated, it will have a pale yellow yolk.

An infertile egg will always be transparent when a bright light shines through it. When incubated, it will not hatch into chicks; instead, it will just rot.

2. Cracking the Egg Open

Cracking open to check for egg fertility is among the most accurate methods, but it will always lead to a shortage of an egg or two. This process is done at the early stages of incubation to check for blastodisc and blastoderm. 

Below are three observations of a fertile egg when cracked open at early stages:

• The blastodisc will turn into a blastoderm, resembling a white circle for a fertile egg.
• The edges of the blastoderm will be solid and noticeable.
• A lighter and almost transparent fluid will surround the thick and opaque blastoderm spot.

For an infertile egg, you will notice a pale white blastodisc and foggy. Similarly, it will have a lop-sided shape. This type of egg should not be incubated, as it will not hatch into chicks due to a lack of fertilization for embryo formation during incubation.

However, you need to know that all fertile and infertile eggs have a blastodisc before being incubated for a few days. Therefore, this process of cracking the eggs open should be done at the early stages of incubation to note the difference. The eggs that broke open cannot be returned for incubation.

3. Floating the Eggs

Floating the eggs is one of the simplest methods you can use to determine whether or not an egg is fertile. 

The following is a nine-step guide on how to conduct this process of floating eggs:

1. Ensure the eggs are incubated for a while until the embryo has formed. Avoid the early stage of incubation, as it can cause stunted development. Similarly, avoid picking eggs in their late incubation phase, as you may hurt the chick inside the egg. Therefore, select the egg in the middle incubation phase.

2. Warm the water to an average temperature, let’s say lukewarm. Cold water is not accurate in determining egg fertility.

3. Put the warm water in a bowl.

4. Gently place the eggs in the warm water. Mishandling eggs will only lead to cracks, which later cannot be hatched.

5. Let the eggs stay in water for two to three minutes and note the observations.

6. If an egg floats, it is infertile due to its smaller volume.

7. If an egg sinks, it is fertile. Fertile eggs have more interior content, which increases the volume, hence sinking.

8. Return fertile eggs to the incubator as soon as possible for successful hatching.

9. Eradicate the infertile eggs, as they will not hatch into chicks even when returned to the incubator.

Thus, for you to have fertile eggs, ensure your female birds are caged with male birds for mating, which are responsible for laying fertile eggs. Female birds in the same cage without a male will only lay infertile eggs since they lack the sperm responsible for fertilization.

Are Bird Eggs Fertilized Before They Are Laid?

Yes, birds’ eggs are fertilized before they are laid. Birds undergo internal fertilization, where the sperms get in contact with the ovum inside the body.

Fertilized eggs are then laid to undergo incubation and finally hatch into chicks. Therefore, for a bird to lay fertilized eggs, it must mate with a male bird since sperms are vital for fertilization.

How Long After Fertilization Do Birds Lay Eggs?

It takes 1 to 3 days after fertilization for the bird to lay eggs. A bird egg undergoes various stages where the yolk, albumen, shells, and other parts must be formed before being laid.

After the fertilized eggs are laid, the bird may sit on them, or the owner will have them incubated for successful hatching.

Can Birds Lay Fertilized Eggs Without a Male?

No, birds cannot lay fertilized eggs without a male. Typically, birds can lay eggs without a male, but the eggs will be infertile.

For an egg to be fertilized, sperm are needed to get in contact with the ovum in the oviduct. Fertile eggs will always be hatched into chicks, while infertile eggs may rot when incubated.

Do All Bird Eggs Get Fertilized?

No, not all bird eggs get fertilized. Female birds that have mated with male ones will probably lay fertile eggs due to the presence of sperms.

Moreover, some birds undergo their breeding phase without a male bird, leading to the laying of infertile eggs.

Are the Eggs We Eat Fertilized?

No, the eggs we eat are not fertilized, especially the ones sold commercially. These eggs are from layers that have not mated with the male birds.

However, if you have male and female birds in your home, you will likely eat fertilized eggs. They are harmless, and sometimes there is no distinction in their taste.

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