skip to main content

fertile egg question

15 years ago

I have one, 9 mos old, rooster to 20 hens. What are the chances that I will have enough fertile eggs to get peeps next spring?

I do plan to candle them at 2 weeks but would like a large percentage of them to be fertile. Do I need another rooster? I don't wnat to get one and have them fight all the time. I do free range them most days but they are housed altogether and I don't let them out in really bad weather, winter storms, etc. so they are shut up together all day occasionally. Will I have problems with a second rooster?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

dunwaukin
15 years ago
Yes.

If you have a dozen roosters in a pen, you will still have a dozen a month later. If you have two roosters in a pen, you will have one a month later. (?a day later?) At least, that's my experience. Not sure the ratio of how many hens one can service, can you make two pens??
simpleme
15 years ago
I have one rooster and 23 hens and have about 80% hatch rate. Have also run two roosters on the same amount of hens but they were from the same hatch and just got used to each other and lived in peace. Did find one a home. If you have more than one rooster your rate of fertility may go down as one will spend a lot of his time interfering with the other in the mating. Kinda of like a bunch of young fellas all interested in the same young lady.
runningtrails
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Simpleme for the info. 80% is good enough for me. I'll stick to the one rooster for now.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Get on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)

By Matt Kilburn

Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that aren’t even as good. Here’s how to give your soil the best while lightening your trash load

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Egg Platters to Keep Those Devils in Their Place

By Meaghan Mountford

You just might cluck with delight over these perfectly portioned egg plates for Easter and beyond

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 15 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Real Estate Agent

By Laura Gaskill

Here’s what you should find out before selecting an agent to sell your home

GARDENING GUIDES No-Regret Plants: 5 Questions Smart Shoppers Ask

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Quit wasting money and time at the garden center. This checklist will ensure that the plants you're eyeing will stick around in your yard

MOST POPULAR 8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer

By Kelli Kaufer Designs

Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start

FURNITURE Modern Icons: The Egg Chair

By Becky Harris

DECORATING GUIDES The Enduring Appeal of the Egg Basket

By Mary Jo Bowling

Hardworking wire baskets are flying the coop for a life inside, appearing as storage, organizers and decor

EDIBLE GARDENS A Formerly Weedy Lot Now Brims With Edibles and Honeybees

By Mitchell Parker

Photographers transform their barren backyard into an oasis filled with fruit, vegetables, honey, eggs and more

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Backyard Living: The Scoop on Chicken Coops

Perk up your morning with fresh eggs and chickadee clucks when you build a chicken coop in your own yard

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

Shop Serena & Lily

More Discussions

The best colors for a house that has a red roof . The trim is going W

2