new at this and need to understand the roosters part...

[danita]

Sometimes I feel weird asking questions, but no question is a dumb question right? Here gos.... ok so how does a rooster actually fertelize an egg...I guess if I pick the egg every day, its not gonna be fertilized right? and then there is the question how will I know if my girls are getting ready to start laying. over the last three weeks I havegone from 2 hens to eight... I had 3 rhode bars that I have been introducing over the last 10 days. today was actual permanenet move in day and Ialso picked up 3 proven laying hens (1.5 yrs old)... Thi will be all we have but omg, my gals are really upset about the additions. Thank goodness no fighting yet.. Am I doing this right? and what is "to aggressive"...

 

[cppeace]

The rooster fertilizes the egg by breeding the hen. The roosters sperm is held in a reserve tank inside the hen and used over x amount of time. Usually if you have a rooster the eggs will start being fertilized after the first week or so of introducing the rooster. If you pick up the egg everyday it will be fertile but not developing. The eggs have to stay above 80 degrees for a couple days to start developing. You should actually separate new additions to prevent fighting and possible disease. Introducing them slowly usually helps as well. Chickens are tight knit and often don't take new additions well.

 

[cppeace]

Oh and pullets usually start laying between 4 and 6 months of age.

 

[can you hear me now?]

I agree about moving them In. When you move new birds into your flock, it stresses them out. you also want to use some time for quarantine especially since avian flu is going around currently.

 

[can you hear me now?]

Welcome Cppeace. I'm in your neck if the woods.

 

[LRH97]

Absolutely correct: no question is a dumb question (hence my signature) so don't feel weird asking them. We're here to help. As cppeace said, the rooster will mount the hen and perform what's known as the "cloacal kiss" and will pass sperm to fertilize the egg. Keep in mind, if you've never witnessed chickens mating before, it may seem a little violent. Things should go smoother once the hens get used to the roo. With one roo and 8 hens, all your eggs should be fertile. As the above posters said, quarantining newbies is vital. You don't want diseases running rampant in your flock. Girls will start laying on average I'd say around six months, some earlier some later depending on breed and the bird. Bright red combs and wattles are a good sign of a hen approaching laying age. Oh, and my definition of too aggressive has always been the point when any blood is drawn. When you do introductions, keep a very close eye on things the first few days in case thing were to go south. Best of luck!

 

[cppeace]

Hi Can you Hear me now. What do you raise and where about in Missouri are you from? I wish thee was a way to search for members by location of here so I could find more people near me lol

 

[can you hear me now?]

I'm in Lebanon. Just northeast of Springfield. Right now I'm working on breeding red laced Cornish. Then I'll work the x in as well. Otherwise I've got cinnamon queens, Brahma, Rhode island reds and other miscellaneous birds

 

[cppeace]

Ah that's awesome I'm in Lebanon as well. I plan on focusing mostly on ducks, geese and turkeys as far as fowl goes. May get a few silkies though, haven't made my mind up there.

 

[can you hear me now?]

I love ducks and geese. Got some baby ducks I need to pick up this week actually.