How long will the hens lay fertile eggs after the roo mates with them?

[Maryallison]

Just wondering how long the hens will lay fertile eggs after the rooster breeds with her? Is it a daily thing? Or does his sperm stick around with the hens a few days?

We were wanting to hatch another batch out, but 3 days ago we had to lock up poor Tyson. he used to free range with all his hens. Oh...he attacked my 3 year old daughter so to the rooster holding area he went (which by the way is very nice)

Today I put 2 hens in with him and with another rooster in a holding area just in case the hens free ranging aren't fertile.

Thanks in advance. I put eggs in the bator Sunday night!

 

[jonnyschicks]

I was just wandering something about the same question.. how long after my roo Yankee mounted his girls would they start laying

 

[farmerbrownsdaughter]

The eggs will stay fertile for up to a week.

 

[Shannoniganshens]

10 days I believe to be fertile, could be wrong, but I swear I read that somewhere.

 

[leahthor]

The hen can be considered fertilized for up to 2 weeks. Although I have read here that alot of breeders will wait 3 weeks to be on the safe side.

 

[Kittymomma]

If I'm saving eggs to incubate I figure a week, if I'm switching roos and want to make sure the new roo is the "daddy" I figure three weeks, or until three eggs in a row don't have a bullseye.

 

[Maryallison]

thanks everybody!!!!!

 

[xxSonja]

The hen can still lay fertile eggs upto 4 weeks after you remove the Roo. Fertility of eggs drops the longer they've been seperated, but it really can take that long.
If im doing some selective breeding, i wait between 3 - 4 weeks for my hens to 'detox' before putting a new rooster to them.