How long to clear a rooster's sperm?

[PostCarbonPioneer]

I'm probably going to be caught by the spam filter on that S word in the subject.....

I recently attended a chicken health workshop and learned fascinating things about the reproductive system. According to these veterinarians, a chicken can STORE sperm up there in a little pouch thingy in her oviduct for awhile and release it for each egg that passes by.

My question is: does anyone know how long before she "runs out" and I can be confident that any babies will be from the dad that I sequester my hens with?

Also, on a side note, did you know that those little whitish twisty things on the yoke get "put on" early during the oviduct process, and the reason for them is so that when a hen turns the egg in the nest, the baby automatically rotates on that twisty thing (don't remember the name) so that they stay "right side up" at all times? I don't know what right side up IS, but isn't that amazing?

PostCarbon

 

[scbatz33]

I am not sure exactly how long the hen can store semen. However there are varying theories on how long to wait between switching roos in order to be sure of "who the daddy is". Some folks will say 2 weeks others will say a month. I'd say somewhere in the middle.

 

[Mahonri]

I had one where the hen was separated from a particular roo for over a month and then put with another roo.

I hatched out a couple of her eggs and got offspring from both roos.

 

[magicpigeon]

I say a month, maybe more. Better to be safe than sorry

 

[Treegod]

I've read three weeks. But nature always finds a way of tricking human "averages" lol.

It's a fascinating world, the Chicken World

 

[shellyga]

I asked a similar question a while back since my flock will free range together with several different breeds.. I was advised to pen the hens for 30 days, allow my selected roo to visit for 2 days, possibly 3.. keep the hens penned for 3 weeks or until I get all the "pure" eggs I want. Hens are easier to reintroduce to the flock so they can stay penned separately for longer.

Shelly

 

[PostCarbonPioneer]

Thanks, that's very helpful.

PCP

 

[iluvsedward]

pretty sure like ten days

 

[pips&peeps]

Pea combed birds tend to be fertile longer.; there have been reports of up to six weeks. I personally have only seen it between 3-4 weeks.

 

[lostsoulhelpmejebus]

Roo goo lasts for 30 days.