Rooster unexpected

[americaunus]

We have 10 layers, and this Spring we bought 10 more. Or so we thought. Turns out one is a rooster. We decided to keep him. Now 3 months later, he is showing signs of his roosterness, if you know what I mean. We decided to keep him for now. We kind of like the crowing. I realize isolating him is the best situation, just not practical. So....

1. At what age will he be able to fertilize?
2. How do we keep fertilized eggs from developing so we can still eat the eggs? We do sell a few dozen a week, but to friends, not really as a business.

Thanks.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

We have 10 layers, and this Spring we bought 10 more. Or so we thought. Turns out one is a rooster. We decided to keep him. Now 3 months later, he is showing signs of his roosterness, if you know what I mean. We decided to keep him for now. We kind of like the crowing. I realize isolating him is the best situation, just not practical. So....

1. At what age will he be able to fertilize? Before the hens start to lay. :-/
2. How do we keep fertilized eggs from developing so we can still eat the eggs? Just put them in the fridge as soon as possible and they wont develop! We do sell a few dozen a week, but to friends, not really as a business.

Thanks.

Make sure he doesn't get aggressive!

Hope that helps!

 

[americaunus]

Thanks! We do have 10 laying already. We added 10 more, well, 9 is more like it I guess

Anyway, That is what I was wondering. We collect eggs twice a day (once if no eggs in the morning when they are let out). He has been just doing his showing off and jumping a bit, then the older one just chase him off. Kind of funny. But...it is just a matter of time.

Thanks again!

 

[donrae]

Isolating him is not the best solution, it would be very distressing to him. Having him live with the flock is the best solution to having a rooster.

Basically, when he's mating, he's fertilizing. Folks round the world have eaten fertile eggs for thousands of years. I'd challenge the untrained eye to tell a fertile egg from an unfertile. It can be quite tricky to tell. If you collect your eggs at least every other day, you won't have any problems. Don't worry about selling them, most of us here that sell eggs sell fertile eggs and have no problems.