Can a hen lay an egg without a rooster?

As a chicken owner, you will need to make a decision about how many birds you want to keep in your flock and what type of birds will best suit your needs. Some chicken owners choose to own exclusively hens but others think a rooster is a beneficial addition to the flock. read more

If a rooster has access to your hen and chooses to mate with her, the egg will be fertilized when it is traveling through the oviduct. The egg also will develop the egg white and eggshell form while the egg is traveling through the oviduct. read more

Yes, a hen can lay an egg without a rooster, but it will not be a fertilized egg. Most of the eggs we buy in the grocery stores are unfertilized eggs. The poultry industry has selectively bred chickens for many generations. read more

Hens lay eggs on the same schedule as without a rooster present. If the rooster is allowed to mingle with the hens, there is a high likelihood that the eggs will be fertilized. This could result in chicks if the eggs are allowed to incubate (either in the nest under the hen or in an egg incubator). read more