Do I need a rooster to have Rhode Island Red hens lay eggs?

No, you do not need a rooster for your Rhode Island Red hens to lay eggs.

Hens lay eggs whether or not they are around a rooster. The presence of a rooster is only required for fertilization and hatching chicks.

Here's why:

* Egg production is hormonal: Hens are programmed to lay eggs, and their bodies produce hormones that trigger this process regardless of whether they are around a rooster.

* Eggs are unfertilized: The eggs your hens lay without a rooster will be unfertilized, meaning they will not have the potential to hatch into chicks.

So, if you just want eggs for eating, you can keep your Rhode Island Red hens without a rooster.