roosters and fertility

[chickenboy95]

hi everyone. i just started my first hatch with my little giant incubator. i read somewhere that during this time of year jan.1 that roosters fertility isint good at all and that most eggs wont hatch. im wondering if this is true or not. i hope it isint because i was really hoping that my first hatch would be a successful one. thanks for anyone who helps me.



Cole

 

[onthespot]

my fertility has not been so hot this month, but I have moved girls around, switched roos, switched pens, introduced young, unproven roos. I'd say I'm only running 50% right now, but I hope they all settle down and do right by spring time.

 

[swtangel321]

Quote:
Where are you located ?? The cold weather can cause a slow down in fertility !! The problem with hatching eggs is that if they get REAL cold or freeze there chances of hatching are lower.

 

[chickenboy95]

im located in southern ohio. i have 7 roosters and i know for sure that two are mating right now. i got 4 roos from a poultry show in columbus and 1 of them is only about 5 weeks and the other three havent gone around the other girls bc they always get pecked at. so i got eggs from the hens that the other two roos are for sure mating with.

 

[swtangel321]

The 2 that are mating are how old ? 5 weeks ??

You can crack open an egg and check to see if it's fertile, check this page out to help you tell..... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16008

 

[chickenboy95]

no no no no no.

2 year old roo = mating

7 month old roo = mating

5 week old roo = to young

3 year old silkie roo = mating but no eggs from his girls (on strike)

8 month old roo = mating but dont know if fertile (two of his girls eggs in the bator)

5 month old roo = not mating

7 month old roo = only seen mate once with his girl but no eggs

 

[swtangel321]

Quote:
Got yah

Crack an egg open and look at that page to see if they are fertile.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16008

And make sure the eggs you are going to try to hatch you get from the coop quick so they dont freeze.

If these dont work well for you it should get better as the weather warms up !!

 

[chickenboy95]

ok then.