When we talk about a chicken breeder, there are two possible things we could be referring to. The first thing that this could connote is a person who breeds chickens. This person is the guy newcomers to the chicken breeding scene go to when they’re thinking of choosing what kind of chicken they should grow.
He’ll be able to help you choose from among the various breeds that are right for you, and if you’re nice, he’ll probably start you off with the first egg in your coop.
The second thing a chicken breeder can be is a mature hen that is capable of laying fertilized eggs. This is a very literal interpretation of the term chicken breeder (since it is a chicken that can breed). Needless to say, one type of breeder grows chickens, while the other kind is a real live chicken that lays eggs that will hatch into chicks.
Hens and Roosters
Of course, it takes two chickens to tango. You can’t have a fertilized egg if all you have are hens. These birds alone can’t become breeders if you don’t have male chickens – roosters – around. The roosters will be the ones responsible for making sure that the eggs your hens lay will hatch. But how can you tell a hen and a rooster apart?
When they’re young - less than four months of age – you’ll discover that it’s very hard to tell them apart. One of the best ways to figure out which is a cockerel (a young rooster) and a pullet (a young hen) is the way these chicks act. The more aggressive the bird, the likelihood that it’s a cockerel is bigger.
So how does a breeder get her eggs pregnant?
When the hen is about to lay an egg, the rooster will mount her. The organ roosters use to fertilize eggs can be found inside the part of the chicken they use to excrete waste. Upon mounting the hen, this organ will extend into the orifice where chicken eggs come from, and fertilize the egg.
Chicken breeders will usually find that a single rooster for twelve hens will pretty much be enough. Of course, it depends on the breed of chickens you have. Some breeds lay eggs often, while others have irregular egg-laying patterns.
How do you make sure that an egg is fertilized?
Once your hen lays a new egg, you can use a process called candling to find out. Get the egg, and hold it up against a light source – like a light bulb, or a candle (hence the name). If the egg is fertilized, the embryo should show up.
Fertilized or not, however, a chicken breeder will sit on the egg. So if you’re not expecting eggs to hatch, make sure that you remove all new eggs from the nest box in order to avoid any accidents that will result in the egg getting crushed.
A Trustworthy Breeder?
About the human breeders – the only way you can be sure about whether or not you can trust them is to give them a shot.
But you can do some research beforehand. Ask your local grocers where they get their eggs from. If a particular hatchery stands out, then go pay this place a visit and ask the owner about chicken breeders. More likely than not, the man himself will be able to give you eggs for hatching unless you’re after a very specific breed.
