Do I need a rooster?

[Marrrs]

My father in law says I need a rooster to encourage egg laying. However I don’t want chicks, at this moment, as I am a new hen mom. I am still learning the ins and outs.

Any tips, tricks, etc are highly appreciated as well as corrective criticism. I want to keep them as healthy and happy as possible.

also, my husband bought me these girls as chicks but he didn’t look to see what kind they are. Any help on their breed would be amazing.
The eggs in the pic are diff any idea whom they’d be from. I am going to install a camera because I have no clue as to who is laying. Is there a way to tell?

thanks!

 

[Brooks_]

A cockerel/rooster can encourage egg laying, but you don't need one.

Being a big fan of roosters, you need a rooster.

Sorry, can't help with breeds.

 

[Brooks_]

Is there a way to tell?

Food coloring in the vent.

 

[Marrrs]

Food coloring in the vent.

I’m super new to this… I put food coloring on the vent! Like just drop some drops on it. Or rub it on.

 

[Disheygirl]

My father in law says I need a rooster to encourage egg laying. However I don’t want chicks, at this moment, as I am a new hen mom. I am still learning the ins and outs.

Any tips, tricks, etc are highly appreciated as well as corrective criticism. I want to keep them as healthy and happy as possible.

also, my husband bought me these girls as chicks but he didn’t look to see what kind they are. Any help on their breed would be amazing.
The eggs in the pic are diff any idea whom they’d be from. I am going to install a camera because I have no clue as to who is laying. Is there a way to tell?

thanks!


View attachment 2829496

I’m not an expert, but they look like Buff Orpingtons (tan), Australorps (Black), and the white one could be a CA white or Austra white or Leghorn. I forgot to look at the leg color and now I can’t scroll back.

Ok, looked back. I’m not sure about the white. It looks like the white one with her head down is tan on her neck?

Also, I have eight girls and no boys - they lay just fine...I know people like roosters if they free range or want chicks, but I’d probably end up with one that took all the feathers off my girls‘ backs or tried to attack me. I’m good with girls for now.

 

[Isadora]

You don't need a rooster. Roosters can be nice to have for a lot of reasons (A lot of them personal preference), but the hens don't need them to lay eggs.

 

[Marrrs]

I’m not an expert, but they look like Buff Orpingtons (tan), Australorps (Black), and the white one could be a CA white or Austra white or Leghorn. I forgot to look at the leg color and now I can’t scroll back.

Ok, looked back. I’m not sure about the white. It looks like the white one with her head down is tan on her neck?

Also, I have eight girls and no boys - they lay just fine...I know people like roosters if they free range or want chicks, but I’d probably end up with one that took all the feathers off my girls‘ backs or tried to attack me. I’m good with girls for now.

Yes the other ones I researched and agree with you on. The whites have me stumped. And the white ones are so dirty they’re looking brown but they’re plain pure white. Can I bathe them?

 

[Marrrs]

You don't need a rooster. Roosters can be nice to have for a lot of reasons (A lot of them personal preference), but the hens don't need them to lay eggs.

Thank you. From research I thought the same. And he keeps telling me they do. My father who raised chicks says doesn’t. So I’m like which one is it guys.

 

[Brooks_]

I’m super new to this… I put food coloring on the vent! Like just drop some drops on it. Or rub it on.

I think inside. I've not cared who was laying what to look further.

 

[Disheygirl]

Does one of the black girls have a rose comb? Like a flatter, wider comb? Maybe she isn’t an Australorp.