Hello from Wisconsin

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drumstick diva said:
Your hens will lay eggs whether you have a rooster or not. You only need a rooster if you want to have "fertile" eggs for hatching.

Some roosters are good for the flock, some are miserable failures (the first to run at sign of danger), some are aggressive and have to get re-homed or be turned into dinner. Also a rooster can handle 10 hens - less and the poor girls may end up overbred and injured.
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Welcome to BYC! Drumstick diva has given you some good advice. Someone at BYC said (I think it was donrae), "If you don't have any roosters, you won't have any rooster fights. I'm not sure that the quote is word for word, but that is the gist of it. I have had many roosters and have bred them many times in the past, but I currently have 25 hens and no roosters. I not only get loads of eggs, but I have no extra mouths to feed that don't lay eggs, I don't have to listen any crowing in the middle of the night, and I don't have injured, overbred hens with missing feathers from boys who play too rough. Don't get me wrong, I'm not telling you not to keep the rooster, but if you keep him, you should be sure you have a good reason for keeping him. Good luck with your flock.
 
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Not sure who is laying, my hens are only 17 weeks old- was VERY surprised to find 2 eggs in a box ;)
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dawg53 said:
Welcome to BYC. Hang on to Gertrude until she crows. Then make a decision whether to keep him or get rid of him. Leghorn hens grow big combs and can be mistaken for a roo.
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Welcome and I second the fact that leghorn hens can have big combs. It maybe that she is about to come into lay. Hens combs get bigger, bright red and soft when they start their laying cycle. If it hasn't crowed by 16 weeks or so 99% sure its a hen.

GO BADGERS!!!
 
I have leghorns and Rhode Island reds- I'm pretty sure which red is laying and I'm crossing my fingers the leghorn is Gertrude
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I just have to add, you all have been so helpful and welcoming (answering my silly rookie questions) I'm so glad I found his site- thank u so much!!!
 
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Well I had 3 brown and 3 white eggs today- Gertrude is definitely a hen ;)
 

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