rooster behavior

[Centralflafred]

I've had my flock a little over a year now. I have 9 N.H. Red hens two banty hens and one banty roo. In all this time I've not had one fertile egg. From time to time I'll see the roo mount one of the reds but there is never any results. I've also noticed that when I go into the pen to feed them the roo will always stand back while the larger girls feed. I'm wondering if there is a problem here or are all roosters this way?

 

[Lollipop]

Fred, I`m curious as to how you arrived at the conclusion that your eggs aren`t fertile? Do you open them or try to hatch them? Most roosters, even bantams, have no trouble with fertilizing eggs. .......Pop

 

[schellie69]

I have a mix of standard hens and bantams I just got a bantam rooster he is almost 4 months old and he seems to be breeding with all of the hens, are you checking the eggs by breaking them open to look for the bulls eye on the yoke or just trying to hatch them, I think the rooster lets the girls eat first it seems to be the way rooster's act by making sure their girls get the food first, I am new to the whole rooster and hens but have heard that a bantam rooster will mate with standard hens I think you should double check the eggs to see if they are fertile they might be and just missing the bulls eye,

 

[Centralflafred]

I am opening the eggs while preparing them. I haven't seen any sign of a fertilized eggs yet.


Well OK wait a minute. Maybe I should go back to the basics. I thought I knew, but just to be on the safe side how do you tell a fertile egg?

 

[dacdeihl]

First the egg has to be sat on by a chicken or put in a incubator for several days to see the first signs of fertilization by candeling. Most often if you collect your eggs daily you will never see the fertilization of the egg. It's too fresh.

A roo will often stand by and watch his girls eat. In the free range I have he has his girls that follow him and if he finds a worm or bug he gives it to the hens. That is his job. He is the protector and provider. Now... if I can get my husband to be the provider of food... any sugestions?

 

[schellie69]

Quote:
Here is a link to some information on fertilized eggs hopefully this will help..
Fertile Egg Pictures
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16008

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I cracked open five eggs this morning for breakfast, fresh from the coop and every single one of them was fertile. It's not necessary to incubate via hen or an incubator to tell if they are fertile. Just look for the bullseye, like in the pics from the link schellie provided.