Breeding Chickens

[Blue Eager]

I am not sure what topic this goes under so forgive me if this is the wrong category.

I was hoping someone can tell me the length of time it takes for a hen to lay all the eggs fertilized by a single rooster? I ask this because it is my understanding several of the hens eggs are fertilized during each mating session. I do realize an exact amount of time is almost impossible. That's ok, a general time span would be more than sufficient.

I ask this because I would like to conduct an experiment using several different roos & I would like to make certain each breeding is true to the males in the experiment.

Thanks in advance.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Three to four weeks she can stay fertilized by one rooster

 

[Birdie2019]

Hens are mated many times a day, especially the favorites. Mine is at least once a day. When they lay a clutch of eggs and are satisfied, then they’ll go broody. But this usually happens one time a year.

they can turn down the sperm of the rooster if they do not like them. It’s true. But I’m not sure I understand the question?

 

[Blue Eager]

Hens are mated many times a day, especially the favorites. Mine is at least once a day. When they lay a clutch of eggs and are satisfied, then they’ll go broody. But this usually happens one time a year.

they can turn down the sperm of the rooster if they do not like them. It’s true. But I’m not sure I understand the question?

I believe hubblehillsfarm understood the question although I will try to explain so that everyone understands; I believe that when one rooster breeds a hen several of her egg embryos are fertilized. Not just the one egg that happened to be laid on a given day. In other words she will continue to lay eggs if I understand hubblehillsfarm correctly fertilized by the same roo for up to 3-4 weeks.

So, I must wait 3-4 weeks after the first roo is removed from the breeding pen before introducing the second roo so that each breeding cycle is true to the new roo being introduced into the breeding cycle, etc.

hubblehillsfarm, is this correct?

 

[Birdie2019]

I believe hubblehillsfarm understood the question although I will try to explain so that everyone understands; I believe that when one rooster breeds a hen several of her egg embryos are fertilized. Not just the one egg that happened to be laid on a given day. In other words she will continue to lay eggs if I understand hubblehillsfarm correctly fertilized by the same roo for 3-4 weeks.

So, I must wait 3-4 weeks after the first roo is removed from the breeding pen before introducing the second roo so that each breeding cycle is true to the roo, etc.

hubblehillsfarm, is this correct?

I would say so yes. It can be longer than that, can be shorter. This is in general basically. That’s why I would have different good hens and a roo that you are tying with them all. But I agree

 

[Blue Eager]

I would say so yes. It can be longer than that, can be shorter. This is in general basically. That’s why I would have different good hens and a roo that you are tying with them all. But I agree

Excellent idea of splitting up the hens. Thank you.

 

[sourland]

Generally hens retain high fertility for two weeks, some fertility up to three weeks, and occasional fertility up to 4 weeks after the removal of a rooster. 3 to 4 weeks generally assures that all chicks are sired by a new rooster.

 

[Blue Eager]

For those interested here is a link that explains why this is important with regards to a "Test Breeding" experiment I will be conducting soon...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ayam-cemani-test-breeding.1403389/

 

[Blue Eager]

Generally hens retain high fertility for two weeks, some fertility up to three weeks, and occasional fertility up to 4 weeks after the removal of a rooster. 3 to 4 weeks generally assures that all chicks are sired by a new rooster.

Excellent...thank you!