DOES HAVING A ROOSTER AROUND MAKE HENS LAY MORE?
You'll need a rooster nearby to fertilize the eggs if you want to raise baby chicks from the eggs your hens lay. However, a rooster won't do anything to boost the egg production from your backyard flocks if your only objective is to do so. In fact, if you make sure the chickens are healthy, happy, and nourished, they will survive just as well on their own.
Egg-Laying
By increasing the quantity of light they receive, hens produce more eggs. No matter if there is a rooster in the flock or not, eggs will continue to be produced. Therefore, your hen will naturally lay more eggs in the spring and summer as the days lengthen. For the best egg production, hens require between 14 and 16 hours of light per day. But as the days become shorter, you can anticipate your hen laying fewer or possibly ceasing.
Age
Look closely at your chickens' general situation if you want them to lay more eggs. It's crucial to note that most chickens continue to lay well for two to three years. Their egg production drastically decreases after that. If your chickens are healthy and well-cared for, they may continue to lay eggs, but less frequently.
Stress
Even when your hens have enough light to lay eggs, various variables can still interfere with their normal egg-laying cycles. For instance, your chickens may stop laying for a period if they go without food or water for a number of hours. Weather that is too hot or cold might also have an impact on egg production. Some individuals discover that relocating hens temporarily stops their egg production until they get used to their new environment.
Health
To consistently lay eggs, hens should be in excellent health. Making sure they don't have any underlying health issues is crucial. Your hens' health may be sufficiently impacted by external parasites like mites and lice or internal parasites like worms to reduce or cease egg production. Hens may cease producing eggs if they are suffering from any other ailments, such as a respiratory infection.
