Hello,
I am also in Vermont, and have had chickens 6yrs. Roosters are a mixed bag, some are good and ignore the kids, and others will attack. Keep an eye out for small provocations, as they tend to escalate quickly. The more your kids "play" with the hens the more likely the rooster is to take offence to the kids presence and attack. Roosters do distract predators and give the hens time to hide.
Fertile eggs are fine to eat, as long as you collect them daily. Once a hen starts to be broody, the egg will develop into an embryo, than hatch in 21 days.
If you need to get rid of roosters there are lot's of people on craigslist who will take them. Or I process our own extra roosters for meat.
I am also in Vermont, and have had chickens 6yrs. Roosters are a mixed bag, some are good and ignore the kids, and others will attack. Keep an eye out for small provocations, as they tend to escalate quickly. The more your kids "play" with the hens the more likely the rooster is to take offence to the kids presence and attack. Roosters do distract predators and give the hens time to hide.
Fertile eggs are fine to eat, as long as you collect them daily. Once a hen starts to be broody, the egg will develop into an embryo, than hatch in 21 days.
If you need to get rid of roosters there are lot's of people on craigslist who will take them. Or I process our own extra roosters for meat.
