- Nov 22, 2011
- 55
- 0
- 29
Sorry, for the multiple questions, but this is the first time I have had roosters in my flock.
I have three laying hens (18 months) and a new flock containing 5 cockerels and 25 pullets (18 weeks). I am wondering when I should start taking the eggs away from the laying hens for incubation or even worrying about the eggs being fertilized.
Eventually, we would like to breed the new flock with 2 of the cockerels (I plan to give 3 away), but I am unsure when to separate the pullets from the roosters to prevent unwanted breeding? When is the best time to breed the pullets with the cockerels? Would it be recommended to wait for spring to incubate the eggs so the chicks can be placed outside when feathered (+/- 4 weeks), we are approaching winter here and my coop is not heated or insulated?
My chickens roam free during the day, so if I separate the roos from the hens, should I not let them out at the same time?
Lastly, we were selling our eggs from the older flock; however when a predator attacked during the summer, we lost all but the 3 hens. Eventually, we would like to continue selling the eggs retrieved from the 25 pullets. Can fertilized eggs be eaten? If so, when should I refrigerate the eggs? Do the eggs taste better if they are not fertilized?
I have three laying hens (18 months) and a new flock containing 5 cockerels and 25 pullets (18 weeks). I am wondering when I should start taking the eggs away from the laying hens for incubation or even worrying about the eggs being fertilized.
Eventually, we would like to breed the new flock with 2 of the cockerels (I plan to give 3 away), but I am unsure when to separate the pullets from the roosters to prevent unwanted breeding? When is the best time to breed the pullets with the cockerels? Would it be recommended to wait for spring to incubate the eggs so the chicks can be placed outside when feathered (+/- 4 weeks), we are approaching winter here and my coop is not heated or insulated?
My chickens roam free during the day, so if I separate the roos from the hens, should I not let them out at the same time?
Lastly, we were selling our eggs from the older flock; however when a predator attacked during the summer, we lost all but the 3 hens. Eventually, we would like to continue selling the eggs retrieved from the 25 pullets. Can fertilized eggs be eaten? If so, when should I refrigerate the eggs? Do the eggs taste better if they are not fertilized?