The Heritage Rhode Island Red Site

[Fentress]

I would say one week from what i have read. The new roo semen should be able to out power anything that is left. Dr. Bramwell at U of A says three days i think. I went off this last year and had mixed birds.

Thanks, that is good news, that a week should be enough. I can see myself wanting to minimize that time, especially if I am trying to set some eggs in response to a new broodie. I did not mean to hijack Nesting Hills' question. I would think that if the hen if free from prior matings, that you would not have to wait, maybe a day?

 

[Fentress]

Thanks, that is good news, that a week should be enough. I can see myself wanting to minimize that time, especially if I am trying to set some eggs in response to a new broodie. I did not mean to hijack Nesting Hills' question. I would think that if the hen if free from prior matings, that you would not have to wait, maybe a day?

On second thought, the hen has a series of eggs inside of her so I don't know how long you should wait.

 

[ronott1]

I would say one week from what i have read. The new roo semen should be able to out power anything that is left. Dr. Bramwell at U of A says three days i think. I went off this last year and had mixed birds.

Thanks, that is good news, that a week should be enough. I can see myself wanting to minimize that time, especially if I am trying to set some eggs in response to a new broodie. I did not mean to hijack Nesting Hills' question. I would think that if the hen if free from prior matings, that you would not have to wait, maybe a day?

Theories are nice but I have had mixes with two weeks. 40 years ago my Dad said that the hen keeps the sperm alive for up to 30 days. To be safe, wait 2 to 4 weeks. I would not sell or breed from earlier ones. Faults from breedings like this can show up in future generations.


The eggs from this hatch were supposed to be pure SG Dorking. She is a very pretty Wheaten AM x SG Dorking. Two weeks with the new Rooster.

 

[NestingHillsSC]

Another twist on this question would be, if you pulled the hen from your flock, how long would it be before the effects of the prior matings have been diluted to the point that the pen mating would take effect/dominate. I have heard before about one week?

See for me, the cockerels and roosters are in a separate area than the hens.

 

[cmom]

I've asked this question to Ron, but would like every opinion. When you first put the cockerel or say rooster in the breeding pens with your hens, how long should you wait before gathering eggs to hatch? Or should I say, how long before the eggs are fertile?

I wait at least three weeks.
http://msucares.com/poultry/reproductions/poultry_long_hens.html

 

[RedRidge]

3 weeks is the minimum here

 

[ronniewayne]

Hello all,

Looking for some heritage RIRs, preferably rose comb. What are my best leads? Left a message for Mr. Horstman but never heard back and haven't had much luck searching online. Thought you kind folks might be able to assist.

I have some single comb from Ron Foggle 's birds . I have several trios available p o l ..5 - 8 months old if you are considering single comb. I am not too far from you to meet and avoid shipping either. thanks and good luck in your search.
Ronnie

 

[catdaddyfro]

See for me, the cockerels and roosters are in a separate area than the hens.

Probly two days and you should have fertile eggs if they are laying regularly. This time of the year your probly doing really good if you get an egg every other day from a standard bred hen.(in natural lighting that is)

Jeff

On the clearing out of the others older semen to the newer cocks, there's lots of variables here I'd say from 2 weeks to 4 some rare instances proves the latter false also, not a set rule just an approximation is the best you could hope for here.

Jeff

 

[Rancher3535]

not sure who I am really talk to so guess I go by screen names.

NestinghillsSC asked...

I've asked this question to Ron, but would like every opinion. When you first put the cockerel or say rooster in the breeding pens with your hens, how long should you wait before gathering eggs to hatch? Or should I say, how long before the eggs are fertile?


Fentress asked...

Another twist on this question would be, if you pulled the hen from your flock, how long would it be before the effects of the prior matings have been diluted to the point that the pen mating would take effect/dominate. I have heard before about one week?

In response to the two requesting info…I am not a expert but have been breeding poultry for well over 30 years.
When you start collecting I would say 7 days but for sure at 10 days. Because I hate to waist good fertile eggs and the desire and need to keep chicks at a fairly close age, I often will rotate males in my pens in the following way. I switch a new male into the breeding pen but keep collecting eggs for 3 days marking each egg for the male that was pulled. The new male needs roughly 7 days at least to make sure the eggs are fertile. I would then start collecting 7 days after I pull the last set of eggs from the previous male. That will give you a 7 day window for a total of 10 days in the switching period. Some breeders would say you need a 14 day period but many of the old time breeders that I know have followed the 3 + 7 =10 day plan.

Hope this helps you out a bit.

Rob

 

[lualshannon]

 


See for me, the cockerels and roosters are in a separate area than the hens.

Probly two days and you should have fertile eggs if they are laying regularly. This time of the year your probly doing really good if you get an egg every other day from a standard bred hen.(in natural lighting that is)

Jeff

On the clearing out of the others older semen to the newer cocks, there's lots of variables here I'd say from 2 weeks to 4 some rare instances proves the latter false also, not a set rule just an approximation is the best you could hope for here.

Jeff

Hi Jeff ,

I can attest to your comment of: " 2 weeks to 4 some rare instances proves the latter false also". I have 3 half-breed/mutts who were hatched from the eggs of a hen segregated in a very safe run with heavy gage wires for 30 days. The cockerel I decided not to keep turned out to be the sire of them all. Well, this was a clutch of chicks which I was happy to have a very poor hatch rate. It proved to me that I have to segregate the hens much longer of a period.

Since the sire of the chicks was only a cockerel, and the older roosters had access to her as well before I separated her, am wondering if the younger birds' sperm has better longevity than the older, mature roosters.

I did not want to keep him; he is gone to another place, but, left me his daughters to remember the lesson : )

Lual