You can't tell if a chicken egg has been fertilized just by looking at it. Fertilized eggs look exactly the same as unfertilized eggs from the outside. However, there are a few ways to determine if an egg has been fertilized:
1. Candling:
Candling is a technique used to examine the interior of an egg by shining a strong light through it.
- In a fertilized egg: You'll see a small, dark spot called a blood spot or germ disc. This is where the embryo develops.
- In an unfertilized egg: You'll see a clear yolk with no visible blood spot.
2. Incubation:
Fertilized eggs will develop an embryo when incubated at the proper temperature and humidity.
- After a few days of incubation: You can see the embryo growing and developing through candling.
- After about 21 days: A chick will hatch from a fertilized egg.
3. Egg Yolk Color:
While not a foolproof method, the yolk color of a fertilized egg may be slightly darker than an unfertilized egg. This is because the developing embryo consumes nutrients from the yolk.
4. Egg Shape and Texture:
Fertilized eggs may be slightly more oval-shaped and have a rougher shell texture compared to unfertilized eggs. However, this is not a reliable indicator.
Remember: The only way to definitively know if an egg has been fertilized is to incubate it and see if a chick hatches.
