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Rooster Questions
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Rooster Questions
We recently picked up some chickens from a family that could no longer care for them. They’ve gotten to the stage where the hens are starting to lay eggs. This week we heard a rooster begin to crow. As it turns out, one of our “hens” is a boy… lol
We’ve kept hens for eggs for years but have never cared for a rooster. Aside from the obvious that we’ll get fertilized eggs now and then, should we keep the rooster separate? I know that they are good at protecting the flock and we may eventually want chicks, but we just want to keep the eggs right now.
All thoughts and ideas are welcomed!
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8 Replies
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I need to add – We collect eggs several times a day. I have heard that eating them, even if they are fertilized will be okay because they are not incubated.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by SimplerTimesHomestead.
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This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by
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There is really nothing different about taking care of a rooster. He should stay with the girls. Your eggs will be fertilized, but you won’t know it if you gather every day. Then when you want chicks, save some up and put them in the incubator! Congratulations.
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Do they have to be incubated? Or can they hatch on their own?
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They have to be incubated, either by a hen sitting on them, or in an incubator.
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They don’t have to be incubated. The hen(s) will do their job and sit til l they hatch.
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Thank you very much! That’s good to hear. I appreciate it 🙂
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The rooster being with your hens will not affect the quality of the eggs you eat. I would keep him with your hens unless he is aggressive towards you- then I’d butcher him.
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