When breeding for laying hens what do they with the roosters?

When breeding for laying hens, there are a few different approaches to the roosters:

1. Breeding for Eggs:

* Keep a few roosters: This is the most common approach for small-scale breeders. You'll keep a few roosters to fertilize the eggs of the hens, ensuring you have chicks for future generations.

* Cull roosters: Roosters are often culled (humanely euthanized) after they're no longer needed for breeding. This can be due to their age, if they become aggressive, or if you simply don't need more chicks.

* Sell roosters: Roosters can be sold to other breeders or for meat, depending on the breed and local regulations.

2. Breeding for Meat and Eggs:

* Dual-purpose breeds: Some breeds of chickens are bred for both egg production and meat. In this case, the roosters are usually kept for meat production.

* Selling roosters for meat: Roosters raised for meat are often sold to consumers or restaurants.

3. Breeding for Show:

* Show quality roosters: If you're breeding chickens for show, you'll need roosters that meet the breed standards. These roosters may be kept for breeding purposes, but they are also often shown at competitions.

Important Considerations:

* Ethical Treatment: Roosters deserve to be treated humanely, regardless of their purpose.

* Legal Regulations: Some areas have laws regarding the keeping of roosters, so it's important to check local ordinances.

* Rooster Behavior: Roosters can be aggressive, especially towards each other. This is something to consider when choosing and managing roosters.

In general, the decision of what to do with roosters depends on your breeding goals and local regulations. It's important to consider the ethical implications and make decisions that are humane and responsible.