Does a rooster have any influence over egg production??

[krzy4chick-chicks]

I have one rooster with 12 hens and I'd like to find him a home. My significant other has said that a rooster helps them to lay more. This sounds funny to me... BUT....just to be sure, I wondered what your opinion is on this subject?? Anyone with thoughts??? Or facts???

 

[Mahonri]

Good feed, clean water, extra light, happy hens... these will up egg production.

Randy Rooster simply makes the eggs fertile.... has nothing to do with egg production.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

No the rooster doesnt help them lay more. Without a rooster thier eggs wont be fertile is all.

 

[rooster-red]

A rooster has absolutely no influence on egg production, neither positive or negative.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Only thing a roo does is to eggs is fertilize the eggs. He doesn't make or prohibit egg production.

Think about it: production hens for those white grocery store eggs don't have a rooster in sight and they lay lay lay lay lay!

If you don't want the roo around, don't keep him. Your girls will keep laying and will probably enjoy the break from the constant mating. Their feathers will look better and you won't have any chicks unless you want them.

 

[krzy4chick-chicks]

I didn't think so, just wanted to have some back-up for when I tell him that the rooster is going. He likes that he crows all the time. I dislike him 'bothering' my girls all the time....so it's time to find someone who doesn't mind his bothersome antics....Thanks for the input!!!! (If anyone in Central VA is looking for a SLW rooster, he's free!!)

 

[digitS']

Just an opinion but, I agree!

If anything, an aggressive rooster interferes with egg laying.

Yes, I know that it can be fun having a rooster. And, they are often good-looking critters. Protecting the hens is a possibility but after they beat the heck out of 'em, one wonders. And as Patton said, to win the war doesn't take dying for your country, it takes the enemy dying for his. My lovely roosters had a strong tendency to get themselves killed and they didn't always go without allowing some of the hens to go with them.

If you have any reason to see that rooster go bye-bye, I say put him on the bus

.

Steve

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I agree with the other posts. Roo's only fertilize the eggs. I have a 3 month old RIR Roo who's looking for a new home. He doesn't know he's a he yet.

 

[flakey chick]

The only effect a rooster can have on egg production is stress level. If randy roo harasses the ladies (more likely when hens/roo < 10), then expect egg production to decrease. Also ANY new addition to the flock is likely to upset the pecking order and decrease egg production.

Those who free-range may benefit from a rooster. Being looked after makes them feel safer (less stress) which could increase production. If a rooster saves a hen from a preditor, then you could say that he definately increasesed production. I think this is the kernel of truth in the old wive's tale.

 

[Tyc808]

Oddly we had a rooster and I was getting an egg a day out of each hen. Now no eggs. Not sure why. Nothing else besides his removal has changed. They get to free range, they get lots of good food and water and nothing now. Not sure why. They actually were crying out in the weirdest way after we removed him. He’s on a farm right now till we can transport him to a relatives house. Any ideas why egg production has stopped.