Does anyone know if roosters (male chickens) are used in poultry production? I have to assume they are...
We’re in the Poultry business(2 houses),in laying houses they try to keep one rooster for every 100 hens.We started this flock with 8000+hens and 900 roosters.In broiler houses(hens that wind up in the store) it’s basically hens,though some roosters get overlooked as chicks.And I might add , yes there are some strange roosters,never seen a strnge hen.
Depends on the breed..There are meat breeds and egg breeds.
If you are raising for eggs you don’t need any roosters. Chickens will lay eggs fertile or not. You only need roosters if you are raising your own chicks.
Most flocks come from hatcheries as day old chicks.
Meat birds are usually slaughtered at 5-6 months. Best meat to feed ration. Roosters are frequently meat birds because they tend to be bigger and put on weight quicker.
Older birds are fit only for stewing...Tough old bird is really the truth.
Most home raised flocks only slaughter hens when they are layed out. No point of incurring the cost to feed if you aren’t getting anything back.