Breeding chickens is popular among farmers and homesteaders who don’t want to buy chicks from a hatchery every year.
Some people just let nature take its course, with any rooster in the flock mating with any hen, while others select specific chickens to mate in order to produce offspring with desirable traits. These traits can include egg-laying ability, meat quality, and disease resistance.
Some might also be interested in preserving the genetic qualities of breeds that have become rare and are in danger of extinction.
There are various methods of breeding chickens, including natural mating, artificial insemination, and selective breeding. Natural mating involves allowing a rooster to mate with hens in a flock, while artificial insemination involves manually collecting and depositing sem*n into a hen’s reproductive tract. Selective breeding involves choosing specific chickens with desirable traits and breeding them together to produce offspring with those same traits.
Breeding chickens can vary from simple to complex, requiring knowledge of genetics and breeding techniques. However, it can be a rewarding practice for those who are interested in producing high-quality poultry for meat or eggs.
Table of Contents
Breeding Chickens Basics
Choosing the Right Breeding Stock
Breeding chickens starts with selecting the right breeding stock. It is important to choose healthy birds that are free from any genetic defects or illnesses. The birds should be at least 9 months old before using them as breeding stock. The rooster-to-hen ratio should be 1:10 or less to ensure that each hen is fertilized properly.
When breeding mammals, we want to be sure the female is mature enough to safely give birth, but we are talking about age for breeding birds because you want them to know what they look like as a mature chicken before deciding to use them for breeding stock. You can’t control when hens start laying eggs because they will do so regardless of whether or not a rooster is present.
Breeding Process
Breeding chickens naturally involves the rooster mating the hen. The rooster will mount the hen and deposit sperm into the oviduct. Chicken sperm can live inside a chicken for up to two or three weeks, which is much longer than in mammals.
Because sperm can live so long inside a hen, if you have a mixed flock and want purebred chicks, the hens should be kept separate from other breeds of roosters for at least two weeks before you start to collect eggs for hatching.
Incubation
After the eggs have been laid, they need to be incubated at about 100 degrees to hatch. This can be done naturally by a broody hen or with an incubator. If using an incubator, it is important to follow the instructions carefully to ensure proper temperature and humidity levels. Temperatures over 103 degrees will kill embryos. If temperatures are a degree or two lower, the eggs may take an extra day before hatching. The eggs should be turned regularly to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell.
Hatching
The incubation period for chicken eggs is approximately 21 days. Once the chicks start to hatch, they should be left in the incubator until they are dry and fluffy. They should then be placed in a brooder with the temperature at 95 degrees for the first week. The chicks should also be provided with chick starter feed and fresh water.
If a hen hatches the chicks, she will usually stay on the nest for about 24 hours after the chicks start to hatch so that no one gets left behind. After that, she will leave the nest and teach the chicks where to find food and water. It’s a good idea to put them in a small coop so that none of the chicks get lost or killed by predators. Even barn cats may find chicks to be a tasty treat, and although some hens are great protectors, there are no guarantees.
Learn more >> Hatching Chicken Eggs: A Step-by-Step Guide
Raising Chicks
Raising chicks can be a rewarding experience for anyone interested in backyard chickens. It is important to ensure that the chicks are healthy and well-cared for to ensure their survival.
Feeding and Watering
Providing a balanced diet is crucial to the growth and development of baby chicks. A good quality chick starter feed with at least 20% protein is recommended. It is fine for a mama hen to have a higher protein feed at this time because she has lost weight while setting. It is important to provide clean water at all times, as chicks can quickly become dehydrated.
Housing and Equipment
A clean, dry, and draft-free environment is essential for raising chicks. A brooder box or a warm, enclosed area should be used to keep the chicks safe and warm. Pine shavings or other suitable bedding should be used to absorb moisture and provide a soft surface for the chicks to stand on.
Although chicks can be placed on paper towels for the first couple of days, newspaper is not appropriate because it is too slippery, and chicks can wind up with spraddle leg. A heat lamp or other heat source should be provided to maintain a temperature of 95°F for the first week, decreasing by 5°F each week until the chicks are fully feathered.
Health and Disease Management
Chicks hatched on the farm tend to have fewer health problems than those shipped through the mail from a hatchery. Although chicks can survive 2-3 days without food or water, it is stressful, and there is typically some loss. Chicks hatched on the farm usually have 100% survivability once they are out of the egg.
Chicken Breeds
Purebred vs. Crossbred
When breeding chickens, there are two options: purebred or crossbred. A purebred chicken is one that has been bred for generations to produce a specific set of characteristics. A crossbred chicken is a mix of two or more breeds, resulting in a unique set of characteristics.
Purebred chickens are often bred for specific purposes, such as egg-laying or meat production. Crossbred chickens can be bred for a variety of purposes, such as egg-laying, meat production, or unique feather patterns.
Breed Selection
When selecting a breed to breed, it is important to consider the purpose of the breeding and how much you want to be involved in the process.
It is also important to consider the climate and environment in which the chickens will be living. Some breeds are better suited for cold climates, while others are better suited for warm climates.
If you want to hatch your own meat birds, it is important to know that the modern Cornish crosses sold as “meat birds” by hatcheries result from artificial insemination. Their breasts are so large that they cannot mate naturally, so if you want to breed them, you’ll need to learn to do artificial insemination.
Most people who breed their own choose a dual-purpose heritage breed, meaning that the hens lay a decent amount of eggs, and the males are big enough to make a decent chicken dinner. Heritage chickens are defined as those that can mate naturally and were recognized by the American Poultry Association before the 1950s.
Egg Production
Breeding chickens for egg production is a popular activity for many backyard chicken enthusiasts. Egg production can vary based on a variety of factors, including the breed of the hen, age, diet, and living conditions.
Factors Affecting Egg Production
The following factors can affect egg production in chickens:
- Breed: Some chicken breeds are better egg layers than others. For example, Leghorns are known for their high egg production, while Silkies are not.
- Age: Young hens typically start laying eggs at around 6 months old and will continue laying for 2-3 years before their production decreases.
- Diet: A well-balanced diet that includes the necessary nutrients is essential for good egg production. Hens need a diet of about 16% protein, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals, typically found in commercially available layer feeds. If you feed only scratch grain, you will see a lot fewer eggs than if you use a layer feed.
- Living Conditions: Hens need a clean and stress-free living environment with adequate space and access to fresh water. Being chased by predators can shut down egg production for days.
Egg Collection and Storage
Hens will lay eggs even if a rooster is not present, but the eggs won’t hatch. The only thing the roost does is fertilize the eggs. If you plan to hatch the eggs, a rooster must be with the hens. Fertilized eggs can be stored for up to 7 days before they are placed in an incubator or under a broody hen for hatching.
Predators
Common Predators
When it comes to raising chickens, one of the most important things to consider is the threat of predators. Common predators that pose a risk to chickens include raccoons, owls, hawks, and cats. These animals can attack chickens, kill them, and even eat them.
Raccoons are notorious for attacking chickens at night, while owls and hawks are more likely to attack during the day. Cats are also a threat, especially if they are feral.
Protecting Your Flock
To protect your chickens from predators, it is important to take certain precautions. First, make sure your chicken coop is secure and has no holes or gaps where predators can enter. This includes the windows, doors, and even the roof. Consider using hardware cloth instead of chicken wire, as it is more durable and can prevent predators from breaking in.
Another way to protect your flock is to keep them locked up at night. This can be done by closing the coop door and using a latch that predators cannot open. Additionally, consider using motion-activated lights or alarms to scare off predators.
Learn more: Tips for Protecting Your Livestock from Predators
Conclusion
Breeding chickens can be a fun and rewarding experience for those interested in producing their own meat and eggs without buying chicks from a hatchery every year. Whether you are looking to produce eggs for personal consumption or to sell them commercially, there are a few key factors to consider when raising chickens.
First and foremost, providing a safe and stress-free environment for your adult birds is important. This includes adequate shelter, food, water, and proper sanitation to prevent the spread of disease.
When it comes to breeding, it is important to select healthy, genetically diverse birds to ensure the best possible offspring.
While breeding chickens can be a lot of work, it can also be a lot of fun. Many people enjoy the process of watching their birds grow and develop, and there is a sense of satisfaction that comes with producing your own eggs or meat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you start breeding chickens?
Starting to breed chickens requires knowledge of the different breeds and their characteristics. One should also have a basic understanding of chicken husbandry, including feeding, housing, and disease management. It is recommended to start with a small flock of chickens and gradually increase the number as experience is gained.
Can you breed father and daughter chickens?
It is best to breed unrelated chickens or only distantly related chickens. However, if you buy them from a hatchery, you won’t know whether or not they are related. In general, animals tend to start having problems after multiple generations of inbreeding, so if you start to see genetic defects or health problems in chicks, it’s time to bring in new bloodlines.
Can chickens lay fertile eggs without a rooster?
No. Although hens will lay eggs without a rooster, the eggs will not be fertile and will not hatch.
How old should a hen be before breeding?
A hen will start laying eggs whenever her body is ready, which is usually between 4 and 6 months of age, regardless of whether or not a rooster is present. Being bred by a rooster does not affect when a hen starts laying eggs.
What is selective breeding for chickens?
Selective breeding for chickens involves choosing birds with desirable traits, such as high egg production or good meat quality, and breeding them to produce offspring with those same traits. This process is repeated over several generations to create a breed of chicken with consistent and desirable characteristics.
