broody hen hatching rooster

[Rachel Cauntay]

I'm considering giving our hen (now broody for the 2nd time in a month) a hatch of eggs to grow our flock, but we are too close to neighbors to keep a rooster. We have room for 3 more hens in our flock, so it sounds like 6 fertilized eggs are the way to go (with an approximate 50% hatch rate), but is this only a realistic option for folks who can keep roosters. How difficult is it to rehouse a rooster?

Thanks for any input!

 

[RockyFieldsFarm]

When we incubated last year. We had 33 hatch, with 6 of them being roos. No one wanted them - free, even when offered to be delivered.

We also raise meat birds - so when the time came to take care of the meat birds we also processed the six roos for stew meat.

 

[bobbi-j]

I'm considering giving our hen (now broody for the 2nd time in a month) a hatch of eggs to grow our flock, but we are too close to neighbors to keep a rooster. We have room for 3 more hens in our flock, so it sounds like 6 fertilized eggs are the way to go (with an approximate 50% hatch rate), but is this only a realistic option for folks who can keep roosters. How difficult is it to rehouse a rooster?

Thanks for any input!

That depends entirely upon the area in which you live. If you're in an urban or suburban area, it could be quite difficult, as others would be in the same position as you. In a rural area, where people tend to grow and process their own meat, someone would gladly take them off your hands. I know I would.