Eggs not developing - please help me figure out what's wrong

[McChooky]

As I said, I can try to get up before dawn tomorrow and observe them as they get out of the coop and see what happens. I've never done that before.

If you can observe him without him seeing you that would be best. Then he'll so what he normally does when you aren't around.

 

[McChooky]

Oh, I see... Okay, so it is not a reliable sign... I thought it is bulletproof, damn it... Well, then I guess I just need to observe them and see if they mate... Maybe they didn't mate just yet since he is in the run with them for only a month and a couple of days.

If the hens don't like the rooster they can reject the sperm and dump it.

 

[VlkStinu]

If you can observe him without him seeing you that would be best. Then he'll so what he normally does when you aren't around.

Yes, I can do that, I have a clear view of the coop and the run from my living room. So I will get up early tomorrow before the coop door opens and I will give you an update on what happened.

 

[VlkStinu]

If the hens don't like the rooster they can reject the sperm and dump it.

They don't seem to dislike him straight away... They are not running away (they did in the first few days before they got used to him being around) and they seem relaxed around him.

 

[NatJ]

If the hens don't like the rooster they can reject the sperm and dump it.

But that only matters if there is any sperm to dump in the first place.

So I think OP's plan to watch tomorrow morning is a good first step. If mating is not happening, that is the first problem to solve.

 

[Brahmabuddy]

If he is mating then maybe if your hens (and you) want to go broody that is the best way to get a good hatch rate.

 

[McChooky]

They don't seem to dislike him straight away... They are not running away (they did in the first few days before they got used to him being around) and they seem relaxed around him.

The rooster I added in December still roosts by himself up top. The hens ran from him until March and still don't mate in front of me.

 

[VlkStinu]

If he is mating then maybe if your hens (and you) want to go broody that is the best way to get a good hatch rate.

Yeah, that would be ideal, but the hybridized breeds they keep in battery cages do not go broody, only rarely...

 

[VlkStinu]

The rooster I added in December still roosts by himself up top. The hens ran from him until March and still don't mate in front of me.

Wow, that's a long time...

 

[VlkStinu]

Alright, I will keep an eye out, check tomorrow at dawn, and let you know what I witnessed. Thank you so much for trying to solve this with me, I really appreciate it!