Rooster & Hen Mated

[Chicken6000]

Hen Breed: Black Australorp
Age: 23 weeks
Rooster Breed: N/A
Age: 23 weeks

They both mated today (I know this because I've looked and done research especially since they are both hitting maturity) I have a few questions about this however
1. Is there any way to make her attracted to a nesting box? I don't want her to lay eggs out in the open.
2. Is there a general amount of times a rooster mates with a hen?
3. When should I expect her to start laying?
4. What should I do if her eggs are fertile?
5. What should I expect from her? (Behavior)

I know I know, tons of questions, I'm just so excited!
Thanks for the help guys! I love this community too much!

 

[Karasu]

Hen Breed: Black Australorp
Age: 23 weeks
Rooster Breed: N/A
Age: 23 weeks

They both mated today (I know this because I've looked and done research especially since they are both hitting maturity) I have a few questions about this however
1. Is there any way to make her attracted to a nesting box? I don't want her to lay eggs out in the open.
2. Is there a general amount of times a rooster mates with a hen?
3. When should I expect her to start laying?
4. What should I do if her eggs are fertile?
5. What should I expect from her? (Behavior)

I know I know, tons of questions, I'm just so excited!
Thanks for the help guys! I love this community too much!

1. Is there any way to make her attracted to a nesting box? I don't want her to lay eggs out in the open.
- Make the nesting box quiet, and out of the way. Having it up off the floor by a bit can be helpful. Also reduce access to other corners such as behind a feed bin.
2. Is there a general amount of times a rooster mates with a hen?
- Whenever he feels like it.
3. When should I expect her to start laying?
- Depends. But if she was receptive, probably within a few weeks.
4. What should I do if her eggs are fertile?
- Eat them, hatch them, sell them, whatever you feel like doing. Doesn't matter whether they are fertilized.
5. What should I expect from her? (Behavior)
- She should continue to behave the same as she has been other than perhaps starting to have an egg song when she begins to lay.

 

[nuthatched]

Currently she has been mated with like 5 times since yesterday, she Is looking for places to lay I can tell!

Are you under the impression that a hen is required to be mated to lay? She'll lay, when she's ready, whether she's ever even seen a rooster or not.
It's not a result of mating, it just happens.

 

[Karasu]

Thanks! What did you mean by "If she was receptive" Does that mean If she accepted It?

If she squatted for him instead of being chased down, she's likely closer to laying, though some of this just depends on the hen's mood. Laying hens sometimes run anyway.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Just so you are aware a hen does not require a rooster in order to lay eggs.

Being mated with does not trigger egg laying.

A hen can only produce one egg a day maximum. They do not necessarily lay every day either.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I know that

You would be surprised how many don't.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Hen Breed: Black Australorp
Age: 23 weeks
Rooster Breed: N/A
Age: 23 weeks

They both mated today (I know this because I've looked and done research especially since they are both hitting maturity) I have a few questions about this however
1. Is there any way to make her attracted to a nesting box? I don't want her to lay eggs out in the open.

I put golfballs where I want eggs or hens to brood

2. Is there a general amount of times a rooster mates with a hen?

As often as he can

3. When should I expect her to start laying?

Between 16 and 30 weeks, if not longer. Some hens take a very long time

4. What should I do if her eggs are fertile?

Whatever you ant. Eat them, feed them back to the birds, incubate them, donate/sell them

5. What should I expect from her? (Behavior)

Nothing other than a normal chicken

I know I know, tons of questions, I'm just so excited!
Thanks for the help guys! I love this community too much!

 

[tlcmurphy]

LOL, you are so right. I have had several people ask me how my chickens lay eggs without rooster. Of course, I explain, if you don't have chickens, or never been around them, it's a fair question, but it still makes me chuckle.

I had to inform my husband recently that you can’t milk a cow until she’s had a calf…

MANY people think chickens lay multiple eggs per day!

 

[First time Chick mom]

You would be surprised how many don't.

LOL, you are so right. I have had several people ask me how my chickens lay eggs without rooster. Of course, I explain, if you don't have chickens, or never been around them, it's a fair question, but it still makes me chuckle.

 

[nuthatched]

I know that, they were asking If she accepted It, I'm basically saying she did

It could still be a few weeks to laying, just depends. Do you only have one hen?