Will hens lay sooner with a Rooster?

[paddock36]

I have 3 RIR, 1 Buff Orphington, 1 Golden Comet, and a Barred Rock Roster that was supposed to be a hen but he didn't get the email. He has bred with the Comet a couple of times and still no eggs. He doesn't seem interested in the other hens. Does it matter that he bred with her?

 

[houndit]

Having a rooster or not does not usually influence when they lay.

 

[CovenantCreek]

No. I think how soon they lay is more dependent upon their breeding (what breed, how soon did mom start laying, etc).

 

[Tennvol14]

I have been told if you dont have a rooster 1 hen will not lay.Is this true.

 

[Don]

Quote:
no, it's not true. The only thing a roo is needed for is if you want to hatch the eggs and not just eat them.

 

[Tennvol14]

Thanks Don

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Quote:
no, it's not true. The only thing a roo is needed for is if you want to hatch the eggs and not just eat them.

Don't forget for protection too.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
no, it's not true. The only thing a roo is needed for is if you want to hatch the eggs and not just eat them.

Don't forget for protection too.

That's what my roos do best, protect my hens!
In flocks without a rooster you can have an occurence where a top hen stops laying and begins to take on the role of rooster for the flock, up to and including crowing. Don't know how common it is though. Perhaps that's what the person meant when they told you that in a flock without a rooster one hen wouldn't lay?

 

[OPIE]

Well., how old is your flock? I know everyone gets the jitters waitin for there girls to lay there first, I know I did. Sometimes days seem like weeks. Post there age, someone here will then have the info to help.

 

[cmom]

My first to start laying was 17 weeks old and the last to start laying was 27 weeks old. My young girls should be starting to lay pretty soon. I have a rooster but he is looking for a new home. My last batch of chicks were susposed to be all pullets but this guy slipped through.