do hens need roosters to produce eggs

[kwhitlow]

I want to have some RIR hens in my back yard for eggs and i have neighbors that might object to a big red alarm clock going off early in the morning-the rooster. will the hens lay with or without the rooster? Also years ago i raised 26 RIR 13 were hens 13 were roosters and two weeks before the hens d doubled started laying i had too give them away because we were moving. When they did start laying the all laid double yoke eggs. is this normal?

 

[NewHopePoultry]

Hens lay eggs with or without the rooster.
The eggs wont be fertile unless theres a rooster around though

 

[mdbokc]

Not uncommon for starters to have an occasional double yoke but all of them doing it is pretty amazing.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to this forum. Glad you are here.

Hens will lay with or without a rooster.

Laying an occasional double yolk eggs is not at all unusual, especially when pullets just start to lay. I personally do not consider it a good trait but there is no harm in an occasional double yolker.

 

[Illia]

You don't need a rooster to have hens laying eggs. Also, double yolkers are common for newly laying hens. Really, I don't think anyone in city areas should have or need roosters unless they're breeding their chickens for a purpose. Because otherwise, you'll just have complaining neighbors and a loud chicken to fertilize your hens' eggs for no reason. Also, with one being a RIR - They sometimes are aggressive.

 

[12GAGirl]

No rooster needed for eggs but I love having my RIR rooster. He is such a joy to watch and to hear. He is the most vocal chicken in the chicken kingdom. Of course, my neighbors have yet to complain about him but they also have a herd of dogs that never shut up! You could always ask your neighbor if they would mind hearing a rooster.