Questions about egg laying.

[BabasCoop]

So I’m new to chickens in general. And I have a question. We are building our flock mainly for fun and for eggs. We don’t plan on hatching any (at this time) or eating any.

So I have had several people tell me different things about eggs. I have been told that since we aren’t hatching that we shouldn’t have roosters.
But I’ve also been told since we live in the country that we should have one or two Roos to help protect our ladies (they are not free roaming and have a rather large fully enclosed coop/pen. It’s like 40x12. with dirt, grass, rocks to climb on and a raised custom roost/nesting area.
I have also been told if we do keep Roos that as long as we collect daily, we won’t get chicks.

So if anyone could please clarify how this works with having fertilized eggs, I’d Greatly appreciate it. As it looks like we will have one possibly 2 Roos in our flock of 16 and I’m not sure I want to get rid of them (I’m kinda attached).
Thanks!!

 

[MountainWoman73]

Fertilized eggs are just fine to eat, and as long as you collect them, no, you won't get chicks. Eggs need to be incubated for 21 days by a broody hen to hatch, and most hens aren't interested in doing this anyway. Having a rooster can be wonderful, but it definitely depends on the temperament of the rooster and how he gets along with your hens. I personally love a rooster, but if the hens are running and hiding from him, or losing feathers, he gets butchered for stew. The same thing the first time he shows any aggression towards people. I have kids around, so I don't need a terrorist. I also probably wouldn't try to keep two at the same time once they're mature.

 

[MountainWoman73]

This rooster was my favorite. He was so tame you could pick him up. He never ate any treats himself. If you gave him something good he'd talk about it real loud until one of his hens came and ate it. He was killed in the line of duty, chasing off a bobcat.

 

[BabasCoop]

Fertilized eggs are just fine to eat, and as long as you collect them, no, you won't get chicks. Eggs need to be incubated for 21 days by a broody hen to hatch, and most hens aren't interested in doing this anyway. Having a rooster can be wonderful, but it definitely depends on the temperament of the rooster and how he gets along with your hens. I personally love a rooster, but if the hens are running and hiding from him, or losing feathers, he gets butchered for stew. The same thing the first time he shows any aggression towards people. I have kids around, so I don't need a terrorist. I also probably wouldn't try to keep two at the same time once they're mature.

Thank you for the helpful info!!! I’m thinking I’ll keep my one! If we end up with two our neighbor said she would take one, as her chickens free roam in her horse pasture and she likes to have a couple of Roos for protection.
I would definitely keep the more friendly Roo. One with a more aggressive attitude would probably suit my neighbors needs better anyway.
Thank you again

 

[BabasCoop]

This rooster was my favorite. He was so tame you could pick him up. He never ate any treats himself. If you gave him something good he'd talk about it real loud until one of his hens came and ate it. He was killed in the line of duty, chasing off a bobcat.View attachment 2114047

He is gorgeous!!! I have no idea what mine would look like fully grown!! But I hope he would be as pretty as yours!

 

[CraftyHen]

This rooster was my favorite. He was so tame you could pick him up. He never ate any treats himself. If you gave him something good he'd talk about it real loud until one of his hens came and ate it. He was killed in the line of duty, chasing off a bobcat.View attachment 2114047

I'm sorry about your roo; he was very handsome!
And look at that view! Beautiful.