Neighbors rooster mating with my hens?

[N F C]

I have 3 hens currently locked in their coop as they are just new and haven't had their wings clipped. Our neighbors also have some roosters free ranging around our property, I was worried if when I release our hens from the coop if the roosters will try to mate with my hens and have fertile eggs?? My questions are, how can I tell if an egg is fertile , Can you eat fertile eggs, and will roosters mate with my hens?

Here's a comparison of fertile vs. non-fertile egg photos that might help. (You may want to click on the photos to make them larger.)
fertile-vs-infertile-egg-photos-thread-reboot.1113237

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Now that you know you *will* have fertilized eggs, and that yes, you can eat them... I'd be concerned about two things... A previous poster pointed out, that your girls may decide to follow the boy(s) home and you'll be out those chickens... but, I'd be more concerned about how aggressive those roosters may or may not be. I would be concerned about them attacking me or my family or friends.
I can't stand people who don't pay attention to what's going on with their animals, and simply aren't responsible for them.

 

[ben0125]

Now that you know you *will* have fertilized eggs, and that yes, you can eat them... I'd be concerned about two things... A previous poster pointed out, that your girls may decide to follow the boy(s) home and you'll be out those chickens... but, I'd be more concerned about how aggressive those roosters may or may not be. I would be concerned about them attacking me or my family or friends.
I can't stand people who don't pay attention to what's going on with their animals, and simply aren't responsible for them.

When I am with my hens, I can hear the rooster, Can my hens hear the rooster to?

 

[MageofMist]

I have a roo and two cockerels and so far with my hens, so the eggs are practically guaranteed to be fertile. The only time one was different from a regular egg was when I took an unmarked one I found from under the hen when she was brooding eggs, it probably having been under her for a few days before I noticed, and it had some veins on it... I had that one scrambled instead of fried as I didn't want to waste it and haven't turned into a chicken, yet.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

When I am with my hens, I can hear the rooster, Can my hens hear the rooster to?

Most definetly

 

[ben0125]

I have a roo and two cockerels and so far with my hens, so the eggs are practically guaranteed to be fertile. The only time one was different from a regular egg was when I took an unmarked one I found from under the hen when she was brooding eggs, it probably having been under her for a few days before I noticed, and it had some veins on it... I had that one scrambled instead of fried as I didn't want to waste it and haven't turned into a chicken, yet.

So if I got a rooster I would always be eating fertile eggs and I could hatch chicks whenever I wanted??

 

[Frazzemrat1]

yes. So long as you're permitted to have a rooster in your neighborhood. Many people aren't, if they live in town.

 

[MageofMist]

So if I got a rooster I would always be eating fertile eggs and I could hatch chicks whenever I wanted??

Pretty much if you have an active roo and a good broody hen or Incubator. Mine are silkies, so... I got the good broody part down. And the roo and mature cockerel are active, they also don't really fight much other than for a few seconds every now and then if one gets a little rough with a hen, which is a bonus as they keep themselves in check.

 

[Junochick]

So if I got a rooster I would always be eating fertile eggs and I could hatch chicks whenever I wanted??

You have to have a broody hen to sit on the eggs for chicks to develop or a incubator.. Fertile eggs are fine to eat as long as you gather them regularly.

 

[Rooster lover 98]

you should build a higher fence so it does not breed your hens