I have four grown hens now, and have had the girls for two plus years now. They are the Plymouth barred rock type.
I would like to get a few more hens and am thinking about getting a rooster when I get more chicks.
But I have some questions! I have heard the rooster can get mean and that is a small worry. Our chickens are very tame
and nice for the most part. They are free range and go in the coop at night. I check on them and close the door since we live in the
country with woods all around.
I have lost over the two years several hens to hawks, one to a dog. (my dog
)
So the rooster sounds like it might help as far as the hawks are concerned in warning the girls perhaps. So a plus there..
But if I have a rooster, what happens egg wise? Are all the eggs fertile? Do you have to check or "candle" them to make sure they
are not growing baby chicks? I know I know.. totally new to that part of things.
I would like to get a few more hens and am thinking about getting a rooster when I get more chicks.
But I have some questions! I have heard the rooster can get mean and that is a small worry. Our chickens are very tame
and nice for the most part. They are free range and go in the coop at night. I check on them and close the door since we live in the
country with woods all around.
I have lost over the two years several hens to hawks, one to a dog. (my dog
So the rooster sounds like it might help as far as the hawks are concerned in warning the girls perhaps. So a plus there..
But if I have a rooster, what happens egg wise? Are all the eggs fertile? Do you have to check or "candle" them to make sure they
are not growing baby chicks? I know I know.. totally new to that part of things.