Should I Get A Rooster????

[gander007]

 

[GAFarmGirl87]

I do want to try to breed my chickens when they are older. I have read that most of the eggs when you have a rooster are fertile. I plan on collecting the eggs every morning and afternoon.. So when I think some eggs are fertile do I just put them into and incubator and wait? I know I wont be able to tell if they are fertile for at least a couple days, right?

I don't know much about incubating, YET

I DO know that you can start holding eggs for incubation for about a week. I place mine in cartons, unwashed, in a dark room. I turn the cartons at least twice a day. I've read this helps to mimic what a mother hen does as she gets her clutch of eggs ready. I think most people on this site have said they can tell whether or not their egg is a 'dud' by day 10. As far as the actual incubating process goes, definitely check out the incubating threads on here. There are lots of experienced folks on this thread who can answer just about any question you can come up with.

 

[superdeluxe]

Check local ordinances, many won't allow you to keep a rooster. Also a big consideration if you decide to free range, your roo will die for your hens if need be.