oddsWhat are the odds?

[wbruder17]

I have a slightly inept polish crested rooster, meaning he crows, but other than that, does not seem to be very roosterish. And a flock of various breeds of hens. What are the odds that he is not "performing his duties" as a rooster? I've seen him mate with one chicken a few times, but how would I know if he was doing the deed with all of them and whther my eggs would be fertilized? I am hoping to hatch some this spring.

 

[Judy]

You can tell when you crack them (hint: use a glass bowl.) Look here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16008

 

[Tala]

One roo should service up to 10 ladies. You didn't say how many hens he was with.

IMO Your best bet would be to crack one of each girl's egg about a week before you set your eggs, and look for the bullseye on the yolks.

 

[wbruder17]

I have 9 chickens. 2 are silkies, 2 are bantam cochins. 5 are regular sized different breeds. There are four actually laying right now. 1 banty. The eggs I have eaten all have a small white-ish circle.

 

[wbruder17]

Thanks for those pictues. I will have to look closer at the white spot!

 

[Lbrad7]

You may want to sprinkle a little Viagra in his feed. He could be too embarrassed to talk to his doctor about the problem.

 

[Tala]

Just FYI, they theoretically could be fertile up to 2 weeks after one mating, so it really wouldn't matter if he didn't get with every hen every day.

But knowing how roosters usually are, he probably gets them all when you aren't looking.