How long to wait between roosters?

[Erba]

I am planning to cull some non standard Light Sussex roosters soon, and want to know how long I have to wait until they are completely out of the flock. The Standard hens have two standard Light Sussex roosters running at present, so all the eggs will be fertile. Just need to know how long to wait before I can start collecting them to incubate.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

By one week, you only have a very tiny chance of eggs being fertile by the old rooster, by three weeks you will be 100% clear of the old rooster.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

I wait two weeks to be 100% clear.

 

[sourland]

The general belief is that after removing a rooster hens maintain high fertility for one week, moderate fertility for two weeks, some fertility for three weeks and occasional fertility for four weeks. Most people wait at least three weeks.

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

The general belief is that after removing a rooster hens maintain high fertility for one week, moderate fertility for two weeks, some fertility for three weeks and occasional fertility for four weeks. Most people wait at least three weeks.

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You should probably listen to this guy. He knows his stuff. I've always been good with two weeks, but maybe my roosters weren't as fertile?

 

[sourland]

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You should probably listen to this guy. He knows his stuff. I've always been good with two weeks, but maybe my roosters weren't as fertile?

Fertility of the rooster and time of year are both factors impacting viability of sperm. Some have even claimed fertility beyond the 4 week period

 

[JustAChickenLoverOverHere]

Fertility of the rooster and time of year are both factors impacting viability of sperm. Some have even claimed fertility beyond the 4 week period

Oh wow! That's a long time.

 

[Chris2018]

When I switch out a rooster I wait 4 weeks, this will allow time for the hen/s to get cleaned out but also gives the hen/s time to relax without a rooster around.

 

[Erba]

I'm in no rush, but I do not want to chance having the old roosters genes in any of the new chicks I hatch. So 4 weeks it is!!

 

[Amer]

The general belief is that after removing a rooster hens maintain high fertility for one week, moderate fertility for two weeks, some fertility for three weeks and occasional fertility for four weeks. Most people wait at least three weeks.

X2
Three weeks, even at four you may still have sperm retention.