No, chickens do not need to live with a rooster to lay eggs. In fact, we can have a single chicken at home as company or a few if we have enough space for them, since they can live in groups. In other words, it is a myth that chickens need a rooster for their well-being. Therefore, if you are wondering if it is good to have a rooster with your hens, it will be a personal choice to make based on the time available to care for more than one hen, space, economy, etc.

Of course, we must keep in mind that the difference between living with one hen or several alone or also living with a rooster is the possibility that chicks can develop from the eggs. The hen can lay eggs alone, but, logically, the presence of the rooster is essential for them to fertilize and give rise to a chick. If you’re wondering what a rooster is for in the chicken coop, this is the answer.

Therefore, only if you want to raise chicks will it make sense to allow roosters and hens to coexist. It is true that roosters can also provide some protection to chickens, but, in our home environment, it is unlikely that they will have to face any danger.

We have said that chickens lay eggs regardless of whether or not they live with a rooster. This is because the egg is your ovum. All hens, during their fertility stage, will lay eggs more or less frequently, generally one a day in the months with the highest incidence of sunlight. In this post we talk about » How often do chickens lay eggs .»

Therefore, the egg is the result of the hen’s fertility and has nothing to do with whether there is a rooster next to it or not. On the contrary, egg laying is related to various factors, such as age, living conditions, physical and emotional state, characteristics of the environment in which the hen is, etc.

We have just pointed out that egg laying depends on very different factors, since hens lay eggs without a rooster as part of their cycle. Firstly, of course, it is essential that the hen is in the fertile stage of its life, which usually ranges from five months to the first two years. In addition, we must look at these aspects so that the hen lays eggs without a rooster:

• Feeding: for laying it is essential that the hen eats an adequate diet that covers all its nutritional needs. Otherwise, she may not lay any eggs or the ones she does lay may not be well formed. Additionally, the hen must also have access to water. Without proper hydration, there will be no eggs either.
• Light: laying requires a certain number of hours of sunlight. For this reason, in the northern hemisphere, eggs are concentrated in the spring and summer seasons. As the days become shorter, the spawn decreases and disappears. This is the reason why chicken farms enclose them to keep them under artificial light throughout the year. Of course, we should not do this with our chicken. On the other hand, it should be noted that the need for light does not imply that high temperatures are required for laying. In fact, on very hot days it is normal for chickens not to lay eggs.
• Tranquility: stress has a negative impact on egg laying. A hen that is stressed because it lives in a small space, does not have access to the outside, perceives the proximity of potential predators or is attacked by its peers will find it difficult to lay eggs.
• Health: Sick hens will not lay eggs and will of course need to be seen by a veterinarian to determine what is causing the health problem and how to treat it. In this article we show » Chicken Diseases and Their Symptoms «.

In summary, before living with a chicken as a pet, it is essential to find out about its basic needs to offer it the best care . These focus on providing them with an outdoor space for recreation, shelter from the adversities of the climate, a correct and balanced diet, as well as the necessary veterinary care at all times. An adult, healthy and well-fed hen will lay eggs practically every day and they will be a sign of good physical and emotional condition.

You already know that chickens lay eggs without a rooster and what depends on whether they do it or not. We encourage you to continue learning, especially if you want to share your life with a chicken, and we recommend that you consult this article: » Where and how long does a chicken live? «.