We've always kept hens, but this year, when one of the chicks turned out to be a rooster, we decided to keep him. Now that we've got a rooster in the flock, is there anything we have to do differently? If the eggs we collect are fertilized, do we have to store them differently? Eat them faster? Or avoid eating them? Any advice appreciated.
So, before, when we had all hens, we'd store the eggs on the kitchen counter, and they'd sometimes be there for weeks before getting eaten. Does this need to change now that they could be fertilized?
Nope, not unless your counter temperature is consistently about 100 degrees. The only way your fertilized eggs will change is if they are incubated.
Teach your Rooster to mind your space. Never turn your back on him. His only mission in life is to breed and protect his flock. He will attack almost anything he sees as a threat too the ladies. Not all Roosters are that aggressive but some are. Better too be save than sorry.
How old is the rooster? I have had two - the first was handled quite a bit as a chick and grew up not really respecting humans. He was mean as a snake, but a hawk got him, solving my problem. My second rooster is fine. I did NOT handle him much as a chick, and he views me as the bringer of food, so not a threat to him or the ladies. I try to be calm around him and not give him any reason to view me as a possible enemy of the flock. He moves away from me, and I've not had an aggressive move from him at all. If your rooster is still a teen, he may have some hormonal days, so keep that in mind as he's growing up. Don't let him run you - you run him. Ask more questions if you have issues! There are plenty of folks on here who will give you some good advice.
