Chicken Keeping Secrets

Last week we addressed a question from Royce about whether egg shape is an indication of the sex of the chick. Thanks to all of you who responded. Below are a few of the responses that indicate the overall experience you all have had in regards to this…

“I have allowed hens to hatch out eggs according to shape and the round egg for hen and pointed egg for rooster was correct from my experience.” ~ Laura Fowler

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“I have a small flock of 5 of my favorite breeds (Delaware, Amerecauna, Buff Orpington, Welsummer & Barred Rock). I ordered a Delaware Rooster in my latest chick order as the hens are so friendly (they come running to be petted) and I’d like to see if they will hatch some eggs for next year. However, I also wanted Welsummers and had to order straight run instead of pullets. If I should get a rooster in that batch of 6 ordered (which is highly likely) can I keep two roosters in a flock of about 20 in the chance I might get some purebred Welsummer chicks from a broody hen or would that cause only trouble. Thanks for any advice you can give.” ~ Linda Steiger

Hi Linda,

I’m glad you wrote. We have three of the five breeds you mentioned, and enjoy them tremendously.

Firstly a quick note to those who may not be familiar with the terminology regarding Linda’s orders – If you order baby chicks as “straight run”, you could get hens or roosters, or any combination of the two. If you order pullets, you have a 97% chance of getting hens only. Straight run chicks are generally cheaper for this reason.

You are right to assume that you’ll get a rooster in your straight run, at least from my experience. (Then again, I’m one of those people who always end up in the slowest line at the grocery store so maybe my luck is different than most people.)

In general, with the breeds you mentioned, you’ll only want to keep 7-12 hens for each rooster.

Your plan of 2 roosters in a flock of 20 hens is perfect. When they are young, roosters can attend to more hens but as they get older, too many hens will result in low fertility. Too few hens result in tired out, torn up hens and roosters who fight with each other. (more…)

“I would like to know the maximum number of hens one should have in the coop per rooster. We have 62 hens and one 2-year-old rooster that is seemingly doing his job. But, we set some eggs in the incubator and only four hatched. We were thinking maybe he has too many hens. We do have three other young roosters in the coop but the older rooster won’t allow them even close to the hens.

They are showing signs of “interest” to the hens, but when they head toward a hen, the older rooster puts them in their place. So my questions are: 1) Should we take out the older rooster and allow the three younger ones to fertilize the hens and 2) The maximum number of hens one rooster should have.” ~ Tonia Rose

Hi Tonia thanks for the question.

The number of hens a rooster can attend to depends on a few factors; age, health, environment and breed.

Chickens, hens and roosters are most fertile in their first two years. A young rooster can handle more hens than an older one.

Optimum health in both the hens and roosters is necessary to get the best hatchability.

Environmental conditions like sanitation, nutrition and safety from predators will also affect hatchability. Anything that would slow production of eggs can also affect fertility.

Assuming all the above points are ideal, breed is the last determining factor. (more…)