Rooster question

[LittleQ22]

Hi there!
Hoping to get some ideas on what others do about their roosters.
I recently set up a new coop and fencing in our side yard. I have 7 young layer hens, 1 full grown Pendenesca hen and a Pendenesca Rooster.
We use our roo to breed with the Pendenesca hen since they are both pure blood and they love being together. As it stands, I have the rooster just free ranging outside of the fenced in area, however he's not really able to "protect" the flock from cats if he's not in there with them. His intimidation doesn't seem to work from the other side of the fence.

Here's my dilemma; can we keep our Rooster in the same fenced in yard or will he mate/fertilize the females? We are trying to avoid having/eating fertilized eggs.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

He will mate any female he is kept with - so, yes, if you put him in an enclosure with all of your hens, he will mate them all. Is there a particular objection you have to consuming fertilized eggs?

 

[LittleQ22]

Okay, I thought I had read somewhere that he would only mate if confined in a smaller area, but if that's the case, then I should probably keep him separate.
I also was thinking of getting a goat to put in the fenced in yard - maybe that would help keep the cats away?
We're unsure about eating fertilized eggs - does it do any harm? Or taste different?
We're new to this, so just want some advice.

 

[keesmom]

As long as you collect eggs regularly you will not notice any difference between fertilized and unfertilized eggs. They will only begin to develop if a broody hen takes up shop. We eat fertilized eggs here often and we're still around.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. There is no difference between fertile and non fertile eggs as far as taste. Eggs will not start developing until they are incubated.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Okay - so the concern is taste - that's easily overcome as there is no difference in eating a fertilized vs. unfertilized egg as long as you have not allowed the hen(s) to start setting the eggs, thus beginning development. The beauty of eggs is that while they are laid as fertile, there is no development until the hen starts to "set" her clutch. Daily gathering of eggs will keep this from being a problem.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC.

 

[gander007]

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

You don't have to keep a rooster if you don't want to. The hens will still lay as they should. But as Sourland says, you can still eat the fertile eggs. Lots of people do it.

Enjoy your wonderful flock and welcome to ours!