Changing Roosters

[Art]

How long after changing roosters will it be before the hens lay out and the new rooster is the only one that is responcible for fertilizing the eggs?

 

[karimw]

Some of my reading has suggested a week is enough, but most of the posts I've seen on BYC say 2 weeks. I just separated breeders in my flock and I'm going to go with 2 weeks just to be sure.

 

[Art]

Thanks for your reply and info. I was afraid it might be much longer. The 2 week wait sounds good to me. I have a flock of Buff Orpingtons that I purchased as day olds in the fall and now that they are laying I wanted to keep my best rooster with the hens now the weather may be beginning to warm at little. I would like to raise the best chicks possible from my little flock. Thanks again for the info

 

[Judy]

Now what I've read several times is 3 weeks. If breed is critical, you might want to research this a little.

 

[sunnyvera]

Just a thought - I remember reading on this post a few months ago - that an experienced breeder kept the hens and roos apart from the flock for a month before he would sell an egg or consider hatching. This is to make sure, I guess.

 

[Art]

Even the 1 month wait will not be a problem for me. My hens have only been laying for a month or so and their eggs aren't as big as they will be at a later date. My flock is all Buff Orpingtons and the roosters that were with the hens were buff orps also just not quite as good as the rooster I have with them at this time. After I raise chickes from my present rooster I'd like to find a really nice rooster from a totallly different bloodline. I don't have asperations to show my birds but I'd like to have as nice birds as I can.