Re: do laying hens need a rooster to lay an egg

Hens do not need a rooster to lay eggs. They need to have a rooster to lay fertile eggs that will hatch, however. A rooster will not need to cover the hen on a daily basis for the eggs to be fertile, as a hen will keep the sperm for a week or so. A hen will lay a cluster of eggs (usually 3 and up depending on the breed) before she "begins to sit" or "goes broody" on the nest, as it is more accurately refered too. She will usually only leave the nest to eat, drink or relieve herself. One thing you should keep in mind is that if the rooster is not present, another hen will most likely stop laying to act the part of rooster to the other hens.