who's the daddy?

[klf73]

I was watching my chickens the other day and my 2 flocks have seemed to finally mingle. 3 roos and 20+ girls, for now. I have noticed the dom roo mates with ALL the girls and the other 2 only with their original flock. Got me pondering....can a hen store semen from 3 different roos? and if so can her chicks in the same clutch have 3 different daddys? like dogs?

 

[Judy]

The eggs can stay fertile for up to 30 days after removing the roo, so I'd say so.

 

[tadkerson]

Chickens can store sperm from any number of roosters in the sperm host glands. These are deep pockets located at the connection of the vagina and shell gland. When an egg passes by the gland, sperm are released and the sperm fertilize the next egg that is going to be produced. Sperm can remain viable in a female chicken, on the average, from 10 to 14 days. Research has shown that sperm can remain viable for up to three weeks.

Tim

 

[klf73]

thanks.....yeah, I knew they could store it, but wasn't sure if they could store from multiple roos. interesting.....