My grandfather used to swear everyone who had chickens, needed a rooster He would say things like, “a rooster keeps all the hens in line,” or “the hens need a protector” Today we know that although those statements are partially true, roosters are not a necessary part of your backyard flock

You do not need a rooster to get eggs from your hens A hen will continue to lay eggs without the presence of a rooster The eggs will be unfertilized, so you will not be able to hatch them The eggs will be “blanks”

Currently on our little homestead, we