How long after changing roosters?

[JudyMcKinn]

I know I have read this, but can't find it right now. What experience has anyone had on how long it takes before the new rooster, only, is fertilizing the eggs? I want to change roosters in my silkie pen, and when I know it is the new roo, hatch some eggs. Want to wait long enough that I KNOW there isn't any sperm left from the old roo.Anyone?

 

[Katy]

I was told 21 days to be sure.

 

[speckledhen]

To absolutely certain, I'd wait four weeks. Two may do it, three is more certain, four should be "all systems go". I've heard in very rare instances of sperm staying around and producing chicks after more than a month, but I'd say those are very uncommon.

 

[MissPrissy]

I agree with Cynthia.

 

[hinkjc]

Yup, 30 days is ideal to ensure only his fertility.

Jody

 

[JudyMcKinn]

OK, thanks everyone. I will try the 30 days, and see what I come up with. My 4 little silkie hens will probably all be setting by that time and wouldn't consider giving me any eggs. LOL

 

[Julie in Al]

Hey Judy, Just wanted to say hello. Was thinking bout you the other day. Show some pics of your silkies that you have now. I would love to see them. Do you still have your Partridge Roo?

 

[JudyMcKinn]

Hi, Julie,
I have sold all my young Silkies that I have hatched, and only kept my original 5 that I hatched from Tom's (KySilkies) eggs, a couple years ago. By some miracle the 5 that hatched were 4 pullets and a roo. So I still have Roofus and the 4 hens. But they were hatchmates, and I have a buff Silkie roo, Maurice, that I got from KC (where he was crowing too much) so I am going to put him in with the girls, and see if some of them will come out buff. And will put Roofus into the regular laying hen pen where Maurice is now. Maurice seems to be able to keep 20 full size hens happy, so he may run the 4 little silkie hens nuts. But I can take him out every few days for a few days, I guess. I think if he was in 2 days, then out 3 or 4 days, the eggs would still be fertile, wouldn't they?

I do need to get some pics of my 6 chicks that I hatched about 2 months ago, with Maurice the buff Silkie roo as the dad, and my 3 cocoo Marans hens as the mom's. They are an interesting bunch. All have a little crest, 5 toes, and feathered legs. 3 are black with buff feathers showing thru the black around their necks, one is buff, one is a darker mottled buff, and one is coocoo (how the heck do you spell that??) like the Mom's.

 

[Julie in Al]

Wow, those Marans sound interesting with a buff silkie mix. I think it is Cuckoo, pronounced cooo cooo. I sold all the partridge I had. I miss them though. Just trying to get what I have up to show. Hatching blues is about as good as I have done this year.