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Do I need a Rooster for my chickens to lay eggs well?

post #1 of 7
5/28/10 at 5:48am
Thread Starter 

I am a newbie and I have heard that I do not need a rooster for my hens to lay eggs.  I have also heard that a rooster will make the hens lay eggs better.  I don't know wether that is true.  My neighbor says I need one... she has chickens... idunno

married , 4 children, 4 grandchildren,  I love the outdoors, people and animals.

"If you judge people; You have no time to love them"
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married , 4 children, 4 grandchildren,  I love the outdoors, people and animals.

"If you judge people; You have no time to love them"
Reply

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post #2 of 7
5/28/10 at 5:52am

Hens will lay eggs with or without a rooster. You only need a rooster if you want chicks!

Easter Eggers, Olive Eggers, Dutch Bantams, Black Copper Marans and Cream Legbars. Adding Silver Ameraucanas this spring!

Hatching Eggs available for the BCM's and Cream Legbars. PM for info.

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Easter Eggers, Olive Eggers, Dutch Bantams, Black Copper Marans and Cream Legbars. Adding Silver Ameraucanas this spring!

Hatching Eggs available for the BCM's and Cream Legbars. PM for info.

Reply
post #3 of 7
5/28/10 at 5:56am

welcome-byc from Ohio nice to see you've joined us chicken lovers!

No, no rooster is needed  for hens & eggs, unless you want to have young chicks hatching. To keep hens laying well, you might keep a supply of Layer feed mash, and add it to their daily feed.

~ MARIE~, ZOey's nana in COOLville, Ohio
1 rooster(OEGame/Andalusian mix), 1 B.A./OEG hen,1 Black Jersey Giant hen, 1 Black Astralorp hen; 1 - ~White Plymouth Rock "Klucky". 1~Delaware hen.
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~ MARIE~, ZOey's nana in COOLville, Ohio
1 rooster(OEGame/Andalusian mix), 1 B.A./OEG hen,1 Black Jersey Giant hen, 1 Black Astralorp hen; 1 - ~White Plymouth Rock "Klucky". 1~Delaware hen.
Reply
post #4 of 7
5/28/10 at 5:57am

Roosters make absolutely no difference in egg production except for making them fertile. That is why many cities allow people to have a few hens but no roosters, so they can enjoy the eggs, but not the noise. Your neighbor is misinformed.

Vicki
4 kids, 4 house dogs, 6 cats, 2 mini goats, 14 rabbits, 8 Welsummers, 12 Seramas,  6 Welsh Harlequins, 2 horses, a tortoise and a pair of Maremma's guarding them all!
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Vicki
4 kids, 4 house dogs, 6 cats, 2 mini goats, 14 rabbits, 8 Welsummers, 12 Seramas,  6 Welsh Harlequins, 2 horses, a tortoise and a pair of Maremma's guarding them all!
Reply
post #5 of 7
5/28/10 at 5:58am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by gvntofly05 

Hens will lay eggs with or without a rooster. You only need a rooster if you want chicks!


Thank you so much... I wasn't quite sure, just wanted to be sure.  My chickens are from my grandson's preschool.  They watched them hatch... they are 7 weeks old right now... they hatched on April 12th! celebrate     I have dones some research and I believe they will start to lay eggs in the beginning of September....does that sound right to you?hmm

married , 4 children, 4 grandchildren,  I love the outdoors, people and animals.

"If you judge people; You have no time to love them"
Reply
married , 4 children, 4 grandchildren,  I love the outdoors, people and animals.

"If you judge people; You have no time to love them"
Reply
post #6 of 7
5/28/10 at 11:43am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MareeZoCool 

welcome-byc from Ohio nice to see you've joined us chicken lovers!

No, no rooster is needed  for hens & eggs, unless you want to have young chicks hatching. To keep hens laying well, you might keep a supply of Layer feed mash, and add it to their daily feed.


Thank you for the Welcome.... I find that this forum really gives you a lot of answers and quickly... Seems a lot of people are raising chickens.... I never knew!!woot:woot
layer feed mash does it have additives in it?  I really want to try and raise my chickens as naturally as I can with out antibotics and additives... I guess I can pick up this at the feed store right?

married , 4 children, 4 grandchildren,  I love the outdoors, people and animals.

"If you judge people; You have no time to love them"
Reply
married , 4 children, 4 grandchildren,  I love the outdoors, people and animals.

"If you judge people; You have no time to love them"
Reply
post #7 of 7
5/28/10 at 11:49am

and a big..... welcome-byc

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