With the economy taking a downturn and signs of improvement seemingly a long way off, what can you do to help your family get the most out of your birds during these tough times?
Well, if you are one of the lucky ones who is allowed to have a rooster in your flock, look no further. Your feathered, crowing friend can give far more than an early morning wake up call!
Assuming you already have your flock of laying hens, the addition of a rooster will provide you with fertile eggs. If you keep a purebred flock, then these fertile eggs can be sold for a reasonable price (depending on quality) to other people looking to keep a pure bred flock of birds. This modest income from your birds can help cover the price of your feed.
Even mixed breed eggs (depending on the mix - for example olive eggers (often marans crossed with ameraucanas or easter eggers) are popular), will be appealing to someone looking for low cost backyard layers.
But aside from selling the fertile eggs for hatching, think of their value to you. They are your ticket to a constant supply of new hens, ensuring that your flock is always at peak production, and excess roosters from the eggs hatched can be raised to pre-crowing age and processed for the freezer to feed your family. Some breeds are more prone to broodiness than others, and you might consider keeping a silkie, for example, as a natural incubator to hatch your next generation of birds. See here for more information on both artificial and natural incubation.
Before deciding that a rooster is for you, check your city or town ordinances, and also those of your homeowners association. Some towns are happy for hens to be legal, but draw the line at roosters in residential areas. Your local extension office, will be able to give you more information on where roosters are legal, find the Cherokee County Extension office located in downtown Canton.
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