Why does a chicken need a rooster for laying hens?
In large poultry farms, the rooster is a rare occurrence. If you ask any person whether hens need a rooster in a hen house and what is its main function, the answer will be one: for the fertilization of chicken eggs. However, not everyone knows that chickens can be carried without a husband. The difference is that the hens will produce a food egg from which no chickens will hatch. So do laying hens need a rooster in the poultry house or can you do without it?
Does a rooster need laying hens
For most novice poultry farmers and summer residents, the male of such birds is a source of unnecessary noise and aggression. Even though these birds are easy to keep and feed, there are pros and cons of keeping a rooster in a chicken coop.
Why do hens need a rooster
If you ask an ordinary urban person who has never been engaged and was not interested in the question of whether a rooster is needed for laying hens, his answer will be positive. And between a homemade egg and a store egg, he will choose the first option. This choice is based on the misconception that if the egg is homemade, it will definitely have a bright yolk, the amount of vitamins is more and the taste is more pleasant. It all depends solely on the conditions in which the hens were kept, what they were fed with, what they had lighting... The rooster does not play any role in this case.
But there are 5 factors that explain why a rooster is needed in a hen house:
- Increased egg production, quality of laying and fertilization of eggs. Sometimes hens do not want to sit on perchbecause they feel inferior without males. Also, a male is required if the plans include breeding offspring and chickens: there is no way to do without a husband for the chicken.
- Defender. No wonder he is called the owner of the chicken coop. He can protect his wives from predators. If there are chickens in the herd, then the rooster will be doubly attentive so that his family is safe. The rooster will crow loudly at the sight of danger from the ground or from the sky, urging hens and chickens to flee to safety.
- Appearance. The beautiful bright color of the plumage attracts and pleases the eye. The feathered male will be a real decoration of the yard. Large or decorative breeds are often brought up. Then the roosters are larger, and the females run around them more actively.
- Social relationships. When chickens live without a rooster, discord can arise within the flock. Stronger layers can peck on weaker ones. This can sometimes lead to serious injury among chickens. Conflicts arise due to the fact that one wants to become a leader, while others may not obey her. The rooster nullifies all these conflicts, since he is the main and only leader in the pack.
- It can act as a watchman. Often, the rooster also acts as an alarm clock. Crowing early, in the morning he wakes everyone around, and also copes with the role of a watchman, begins to shout loudly when someone outside appears on the territory. So instead of a dog, you can get a rooster.
If you, as a novice farmer, want to start a chicken coop owner, he will not bring many problems in feeding or keeping.Thanks to his presence, the mood of the layers will be better and the flock will be in order. However, you need to understand that if the goal is exclusively to produce chicken eggs, then it will be more difficult with a rooster in winter: he simply pecks at females, tramples them or interferes with hatching eggs. In this case, it is better to just slaughter the bird, and buy a new cock in the spring. chickens will quickly get used to the new owner and this will not bring new problems.
However, if a business is built by breeding chickens, then it is impossible without a rooster: the eggs will be unfertilized, as a result of which it is impossible to breed chickens. No new technologists, modern incubators can deceive nature. The chick will not spawn if the egg is unfertilized. Then the rooster must be in the hen house. But at the same time, it is important to understand what problems you are likely to face:
- Aggressiveness. Males can be very cocky and fearless. They can often attack the hostess who provides food or takes eggs. The rooster must be the leader in the flock, otherwise, if he is not accepted, he will punish the chickens by force. The bird is vindictive, and if you offend it at least once, it can attack stealthily and even from the back.
- Rascalism. A rooster, especially if it is larger than the chickens, can simply trample and peck them. Because of this, there is a possibility of sores that can easily get infected or bacteria. The appearance of the chickens is lost: the male is able to pull out their feathers with his claws and peck, therefore, when buying a rooster, you need to focus on its size: the male should be slightly larger than the chickens.
- Decreased egg production... Some argue that with the advent of the rooster, the hens give more eggs. In some observations, the opposite reaction occurs: the rooster simply distracts the chickens from the roost. He begins to call them when he once again throws lure. It can just run around the chicken coop or bully the chickens while walking.
- Maternal instinct. It appears in layers after copulation with a male. She, like a mommy, wants to breed chickens, but she cannot do it herself, so she begins to distract other chickens from the perch, which reduces egg production. And when the owner wants to pick up the egg, he may be attacked by a rooster. Chickens sense when the eggs are fertilized, so they begin to hide them and stop laying.
It must be remembered that there should be 10-15 chickens for one rooster. If there are more layers and roosters, then separate enclosures should be built so that they cannot see each other and bully. Otherwise, the chickens will be dissatisfied, and the eggs will never fertilize. Two or more roosters cannot be kept in the same chicken coop unless they have grown together, otherwise there will be constant fights for primacy in the flock.
You can keep a rooster in a hen house, this is not a costly business and there are even advantages of such content. However, all of the above disadvantages are quite categorical, therefore, before starting a male, you should think carefully, weigh the pros and cons, and then decide whether you need him.
Can chickens fly without a rooster
As mentioned above, chickens live without a rooster and give eggs.
At the same time, one must be prepared for the fact that they will remain unfertilized. The fact that because of this eggs will be less useful, tasty and non-dietary is a myth. It's just that such chickens do not have an instinct for hatching, they have not seen a rooster, and they simply do not need it. Their main task is to produce eggs, eat well, and get their dose of light and warmth.
Chickens begin to hatch from 8 months. In a year, with proper feeding, walking and maintenance, the female will produce 250 eggs. Due to the fact that, leaving the follicle, a new egg enters the oviduct every 12 hours, one egg can be obtained every one or two days. If there is no male on the farm, who distracts the chickens, tramples on them and makes a brawl, egg production sharply increases.
Features of fertilized eggs
Why is a rooster in a chicken coop? Its key task is to fertilize eggs, from which farmers breed chickens.
The main stereotype is that by eating fertilized eggs, you can get more vitamins, trace elements and even heal serious diseases such as cancer and ulcers. These are all myths. In fact, regular eggs and fertilized eggs are no different. It all depends on the content and complementary foods that are given to the chickens. Their diet should include grains, calcium, vitamins, food waste and more. Layers should be fed a combination feed, resulting in bright yolk, nutritious eggs and rich taste. The quantity and quality of eggs is improved.
Fertilized chicken eggs are designed specifically for hatching chickens. It was originally laid down by nature. Breeding birds is difficult: it requires a lot of effort, time and material costs, but it is also beneficial for those who want to breed chickens on their own or do business so as not to buy chickens from strangers.
Conclusion
Do laying hens need a rooster? There is no definite answer. It all depends solely on what and what purpose the farmer pursues by keeping the layers. You need to understand that if chickens are needed only in order to give eggs and no more, then you can not get a rooster. There will be much more problems with him than without him. If birds are needed for breeding, then it is worth understanding: chickens will not be able to hatch eggs on their own, from which chickens will hatch. To do this, you need equipment (incubator) so that the livestock hatch healthy. It also depends on the time of year when you plan to get a rooster.
Do chickens need a rooster? It's up to the owner to decide. Is he ready to face a number of problems that may arise. It is worth deciding on the tasks that you set for the layers, whether the chickens will be bred or not. The main thing is not to forget about correct feeding, lighting and walking. Then the chickens will be healthy and will delight you with healthy products.