Beginner question.. Roo fertilizes each egg

[Roxannemc]

Very Beginner question...
If a hen lays an egg a day does a roo have to cover her every day to fertilze each egg that she lays that day?.
If he misses a day then that one isnt fertilzed?

 

[AlienChick]

The hen can remain fertile for up to 21 days after the rooster covers her.
He does not have to be with her every day.
That's why we separate our breeding hens for at least 21 days when we want to hatch eggs from her using a different rooster.

 

[galanie]

Yes, the hen stores the semen in her body for up to 21 days. During at least the first week all the eggs will be fertile.

 

[Roxannemc]

VERY interesting THANKS!!
One more begginer question.. How long do you leave the roo IN with the girls you want to have fertile eggs? A day or more?

 

[galanie]

I would imagine at least a week. Let everyone get comfortable and give him lots of time to get the job done properly with everyone. Unless he's being exceptionally rough on them I don't know why you wouldn't just let him stay there a while.

Edit: The reason I'm unclear her, is that I don't breed that way. I let the roo have the whole flock and trap nest to be sure I'm getting eggs from the right hen. But then I'm talking about a pretty small flock, only a dozen birds or less.