Why in the house do you need a rooster for laying hens

In large poultry farms, rooster is a rare occurrence. If you ask any person if hens need a rooster in a chicken coop and what is its main function, the answer will be one: for the fertilization of chicken eggs. However, not everyone knows that hens can be carried without a husband. The difference will be that the laying hens will give an edible egg from which the chickens will not hatch. So whether laying hens need a rooster in the house or can one do without it?

Why do hens need a rooster

If you ask a regular city A person who has never dealt with and was not interested in the question of whether a laying hen needs a rooster, his answer will be positive. And between the home egg and the store he will choose the first option. This choice is based on the misconception that if an egg is home, it will definitely have a bright yolk, the amount of vitamins is greater and the taste is more pleasant. It all depends solely on the conditions in which the hens were kept, how they were fed, what kind of lighting they had . In this case, the rooster plays no role.

But there are 5 factors that explain why the rooster is needed in the chicken coop:

1. Increased egg production, quality of laying and fertilization of eggs.Layers sometimes do not want to perch , because they feel inferior without males. Also, the male is required if the plans include the breeding of offspring and chickens: here you can’t do without a husband for a chicken.
2. 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 cock will be doubly attentive so that his family is safe. The cock will crow loudly at the sight of danger from the earth or from the sky, urging hens and chickens to flee to a safe place.
3. Appearance. Beautiful bright color of plumage attracts and pleases the eye. A feathered male will be a real decoration of the yard. Large or decorative breeds are often planted. Then the roosters are larger, and the females around them run more actively.
4. Social relations. When chickens live without a rooster, disagreements may arise within the flock. Stronger layers can peck weak ones. This can sometimes lead to serious injury to chickens. Conflicts arise because one wants to become a leader, while others may not obey her. The rooster nullifies all these conflicts, as he is the main and only leader in the pack.
5. He can serve as a watchman. Often, a 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 beginner farmer, want to get 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 herd will be in order. However, you need to understand that if the goal is exclusively to produce chicken eggs, then in the winter it will be more difficult with a rooster: he just pecks at the females, tramples them or interferes with hatching eggs. In this case, it is better to just kill the bird, and in the spring to buy a new cockerel. the hens will quickly get used to the new owner and this will not bring new problems.

However, if the business is built by raising chickens, then without a rooster it’s impossible: the eggs will be unfertilized, as a result of which it’s impossible to breed chickens. No new technologists, modern incubators can deceive nature. The chicken will not appear if the egg is unfertilized. Then the cock must be in the chicken coop. But it’s important to understand what problems are likely to be encountered:

1. Aggressiveness. Males are very cocky and fearless. They can often attack a housewife who feeds or picks up eggs. The rooster must be a leader in the pack, otherwise, if he is not accepted, he will forcefully punish the hens. The bird is vindictive, and if you offend it at least once, it can attack stealthily and even from the back.
2. Debauchery. A rooster, especially if it exceeds the size of the hens, can simply trample and peck them.Because of this, there is a likelihood of wounds that can easily get infection or bacteria. The appearance of the hens is lost: the male is able to tear feathers out of them and peck with their claws, therefore, when buying a rooster, you need to be guided by its size: the male should be slightly larger than the hens.
3. Decrease in egg production . Some argue that with the advent of the rooster, laying hens give more eggs. In some observations, the opposite reaction occurs: the cock simply distracts the chickens from the roost. He begins to call them, when once again throws lure. It can simply rush about a chicken coop or on a walk to lift hens.
4. Maternal instinct. It appears in layers after copulation with a male. She, like mommy, wants to raise chickens, but she can’t do it herself, so she begins to distract other chickens from the roost, which reduces egg production. And when the owner wants to pick up the egg, he may be attacked by the rooster. Chickens feel when the eggs are fertilized, so they begin to hide them and cease to hatch.

It must be remembered that 10-15 chickens should fall on one rooster. If there are more laying hens and cocks, then separate enclosures should be built so that they cannot see each other and bully. Otherwise, the chickens will be unsatisfied, and the eggs will not be fertilized. Two or more roosters cannot be kept in the same chicken coop only if they have not grown together, otherwise there will be constant fights for the primacy in the pack.

You can keep a rooster in the chicken coop, this is not a costly affair and there are even advantages of such content. However, all of the above disadvantages are quite categorical, so before you start a male, you should think carefully, weigh the pros and cons, and then decide whether you need it.

Can hens rush without a rooster

As mentioned above, chickens live without a rooster and give eggs.

In this case, you must be prepared for the fact that they will remain unfertilized. That because of this the eggs will be less healthy, tasty and nondietetic is a myth. It’s just that such chickens lack the instinct of incubation, they did not see a cock, and they simply do not need it. Their main task is to give eggs, eat well, and get their own dose of lighting and heat.

Hens begin to hatch from 8 months. With proper feeding, walking and keeping, the female will produce 250 eggs per year. Due to the fact that, leaving the follicle, a new egg enters the oviduct every 12 hours, one egg can be obtained once every one or two days. If there is no male on the farm that distracts the chickens, tramples over them and rowdy, the egg production sharply increases.

Features of fertilized eggs

Why a rooster in the chicken coop? Its key task is to fertilize eggs from which farmers derive the number of chickens.

The main stereotype: by using fertilized eggs for food, you can get more vitamins, trace elements and even cure serious illnesses such as cancer and ulcers. These are all myths. In fact, ordinary eggs and fertilized are no different. It all depends on the content and complementary foods that chickens give. Their diet should include grain, calcium, vitamins, food waste and more. Layers should be fed a combined feed, resulting in a bright yolk, eggs – nutritious, and a rich taste. The number and quality of eggs is improving.

Fertilized chicken eggs are designed specifically for hatching. It was laid by nature from the beginning. 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 or start a business on their own so as not to buy chickens from strangers.

Conclusion

Do laying hens need a rooster? No, it all depends solely on what the farmer is pursuing and keeping hens in. You need to understand that if hens are only needed 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 you should understand: hens 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 hatched healthy. It also depends on the time of year when you plan to get a rooster.

Do chickens need a rooster? Only the owner decides.Is he ready to face a number of problems that may arise. It is worth deciding on the tasks that you set for laying hens, chickens will be bred or not. The main thing is not to forget about proper feeding , lighting and walking in all this turmoil. Then the hens will be healthy and will delight you with healthy products.