Changing Roosters - How early can the new Rooster be the father?

[Steinagarden]

I have changed roosters for several of my flocks now. I know that you need to wait at least 3 weeks before being sure the new rooster is the father of the chicks. Because the sperm of the old rooster can be used by the hen for several weeks later even though he is removed.

Does anyone have experience seeing how early the new rooster CAN be the father? I have one rooster in particular that has had respect from day 1 of the hens, and I know that hens can be favorable of a rooster they prefer. What is the earliest possible the new roosters sperm can be chosen by the hen?

 

[nchls school]

It depends on the breed. I have had bantams fertilize eggs as young as four months. Larger breeds may take six months or longer. Look at your roo. If he looks mature, he likely is fertile.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Within a week is the earliest I have seen. I had a blue rooster in with my hens, but my blue was taken by a predator. I put my porcelain rooster in with the chickens and over the course of the next week I collected the hens eggs to try and get some offspring from my deceased rooster. The egg I collected from my porcelain hen hatched out a porcelain chick.

 

[Steinagarden]

It depends on the breed. I have had bantams fertilize eggs as young as four months. Larger breeds may take six months or longer. Look at your roo. If he looks mature, he likely is fertile.

I think you misunderstood my question I was wondering how fast the semen of a (mature) rooster would reach the hen when they have had a different rooster before the new rooster.

 

[Steinagarden]

Within a week is the earliest I have seen. I had a blue rooster in with my hens, but my blue was taken by a predator. I put my porcelain rooster in with the chickens and over the course of the next week I collected the hens eggs to try and get some offspring from my deceased rooster. The egg I collected from my porcelain hen hatched out a porcelain chick.

Thank you. That is exciting Hoping the new rooster is the father of my chicks faster than 3 long weeks forward

 

[nchls school]

Perhaps I misunderstood the question. Eggs collected 4 weeks after changing roosters would be fertilized by the new roo. Before four weeks, it's questionable which roo is the father.

 

[Steinagarden]

Perhaps I misunderstood the question. Eggs collected 4 weeks after changing roosters would be fertilized by the new roo. Before four weeks, it's questionable which roo is the father.

Yes I know, and I have to be patient to be sure. I will be able to tell which is the father at hatch, but was just curious of how early someone has seen the new rooster is the father I collect eggs every week, so it will be interesting to see if I really have to wait 3-4 weeks or if he is the father earlier than this

I guess it also will depend on the rooster and how much respect he has from the hens? My new rooster just made every hen drop to the floor the first day and he is still young so I was really surprised how much they liked him so fast So it got me thinking maybe they would choose his semen earlier than what you normally can expect when switching roosters.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

Yes I know, and I have to be patient to be sure. I will be able to tell which is the father at hatch, but was just curious of how early someone has seen the new rooster is the father I collect eggs every week, so it will be interesting to see if I really have to wait 3-4 weeks or if he is the father earlier than this

I guess it also will depend on the rooster and how much respect he has from the hens? My new rooster just made every hen drop to the floor the first day and he is still young so I was really surprised how much they liked him so fast So it got me thinking maybe they would choose his semen earlier than what you normally can expect when switching roosters.

A bunch of cougars

 

[Steinagarden]

A bunch of cougars

No doubt