If you’re thinking about keeping Easter Eggers in your backyard, it’s important to understand the differences between Easter Egger rooster and hens. In this blog post, we will compare the Easter Egger Rooster Vs Hen, which will help you to decide right one for your backyard flock.
Easter Egger Rooster vs Hen
Easter Eggers are a popular chicken breed known for their beautiful and colorful eggs. They can lay in different color of eggs, including blue, green, brown, and even pink. Easter Eggers are also relatively hardy and easy to care for.
One of the important decisions you will need to make that when you should get Easter Eggers, whether to get roosters or hens. There are some key differences between Easter Egger rooster and hens that you should consider before making your decision.
| Aspect | Easter Egger Rooster | Easter Egger Hen |
|---|---|---|
| Egg Production | Does not lay eggs | Good egg layers, produce eggs in various colors |
| Physical Appearance | Larger combs and wattles, decorative long tail feathers | Smaller combs and wattles, shorter tails |
| Behavior | Protective, dominant, can be aggressive | Sociable, less aggressive, nurturing and protective of chicks |
| Vocalizations | Loud and distinct crowing | Soft clucking sounds |
| Feather Colors | Vibrant and eye-catching plumage | Vibrant and eye-catching plumage |
| Sociability | Varied temperament, some can be friendly and gentle | Generally sociable and friendly |
| Roles | Protects the flock, establishes dominance | Forages, explores, interacts with flock members, nurtures chicks |
| Egg Laying Frequency | Does not lay eggs | 200-280 eggs per year (on average) |
Read Here: Easter Egger Chicken Breed
1) Appearance
Easter Egger rooster and hens both are look almost similar, but there are some differences. They both have medium-sized bodies and stand up straight. Easter Eggers have colorful feathers with different patterns, and some have fluffy cheeks and beards.
Roosters usually have bigger and more noticeable combs and wattles, as well as long, fancy tail feathers. Hens have shorter tails. Here is the comparison of physical appearance of Easter Egger rooster Vs hens:
Easter Egger rooster:
- Larger size compared to hens.
- More prominent and larger combs and wattles on the head.
- Long and decorative tail feathers.
- Vibrant and colorful plumage with a variety of patterns.
- Some roosters may have fluffy cheeks and a beard.
- Generally more vibrant and eye-catching in appearance.
Easter Egger hen:
- Smaller in size compared to roosters.
- Combs and wattles are smaller and less pronounced than roosters.
- Tails are generally shorter and less elaborate.
- Vibrant and colorful plumage similar to roosters but may be less vibrant overall.
- Some hens may have fluffy cheeks and a beard.
- Overall appearance is still attractive, but typically not as showy as the roosters.
Read Here: Easter Egger Rooster
2) Size and Weight
When comparing the size and weight of Easter Egger rooster Vs hens, here are some major differences them you can expect:
Easter Egger rooster:
- Size: Roosters are bigger than hens. They have a strong and muscular body.
- Weight: On average, Easter Egger roosters weigh around 6-8 pounds. However, some roosters may weigh more or less than that.
Easter Egger hen:
- Size: Hens are smaller than roosters. They have a slim and sleek body.
- Weight: On average, Easter Egger hens weigh around 4-6 pounds. But remember, each hen can have a slightly different weight.
It’s important to know that these are average weights, and individual rooster and hens can vary in size and weight. Other factors like genes, food, and health can also affect their size.
Read Here: Easter Egger Vs Ameraucana Chicken
3) Behavior and Temperament
Both Easter Egger rooster and hens are known for being friendly and gentle. Hens are usually more sociable and less aggressive than roosters. They like to explore, find food, and hang out with their chicken friends.
Hens are good at taking care of their chicks and keeping them safe. On the other hand, roosters are more protective and like to be in charge. Some roosters are nice and calm, but others can be a bit aggressive and can get fights into other roosters.
Here’s a simplified version of the behavior and temperament comparison between Easter Egger rooster Vs hens:
Easter Egger Rooster:
- Roosters are protective and like to be in charge.
- Some roosters can be a bit bossy and may fight with other roosters.
- They keep an eye on the flock and make sure everyone is safe.
- Some roosters are friendly, while others can be a little pushy.
Easter Egger Hen:
- Hens are friendly and get along well with other chickens.
- They enjoy exploring, finding food, and being with their chicken friends.
- Hens take good care of their chicks and keep them safe.
Remember, every rooster and hen has its own personality, so there can be variations in behavior even within the same breed. It’s important to spend time with your chickens and get to know their individual temperaments.
Read More: Easter Egger Vs Olive Egger Chicken
4) Purpose
The easter egger rooster and hens they both have individual and multiple purpose on the flock. The rooster provide protection for the flock and can mate with the hens to fertilize eggs. On the others hand hens are primarily kept for egg production and to care their chicks.
Easter Egger Rooster:
- Roosters protect the flock from danger and predators.
- They are in charge and show who’s boss.
- Some people like having a rooster for their crowing sounds, which adds a nice touch to the farm.
Easter Egger Hen:
- Hens lay eggs for us to eat.
- They give us fresh eggs in different colors.
- Hens help keep the chicken group happy and balanced.
Remember, both Easter egger rooster and hens can also be kept as pets for their company and the happiness they bring to your homes.
Read More: 5 Best Egg Laying Chicken Breeds
5) Egg Production
The biggest difference between Easter Egger rooster and hens is that only hens can lay eggs. Hens are great at producing eggs, they can lay eggs in various colors, like blue, green, pink, and brown.
How many eggs they lay can depend on different things like their breed, age, diet, and environment. On an average, a hen can lay around 200-280 eggs every year.
Read More: 10 Attractive Chicken Breeds For Backyard
6) Which is the better choice for you?
The better choice between an Easter Egger rooster and hen depends on what you want. Here are some things to think about:
- Eggs: If you want lots of eggs, hens are the better choice. They lay eggs in different colors like blue and green, pink etc.
- Protection: Roosters can help protect the flock from predators. They watch out for danger and sound the alarm if something’s wrong.
- Noise: Roosters can be loud because of their crowing. If you have neighbors or noise rules, hens might be a better option to keep things quiet.
Think about what you like. Roosters can be beautiful with their attractive feathers, while hens are friendly and sociable. Remember, there’s no right or wrong choice, it is depending on what you want and what will make you happy with your chickens.
Conclusion
In conclusion, easter egger is good chicken breed for your backyard, but choosing between an Easter Egger rooster and hen depends on what you want. If you want lots of eggs, go for a hen. If you want protection for your flock, a rooster is a good choice.
Just remember that roosters can be noisy, so think about any noise rules in your area. At the end of the day, it’s all about what you prefer and what will make you happy. Whether it’s the eggs from a hen or the watchful presence of a rooster, both can bring joy to your chicken-keeping experience.
FAQs
1) Are easter egger roosters loud?
Easter Egger roosters can be loud, but they are not typically as loud as some other breeds of roosters.
2) Are easter egger roosters aggressive?
Easter Egger roosters are not typically as aggressive as some other breeds of roosters. However, some roosters can be aggressive, if they are not properly socialized or if they feel any danger.
3) When do easter egger hens start laying?
Easter Egger hens typically start laying eggs at around 6-7 months of age.
4) Do easter egger chickens go broody?
No, they are not typically as broody as some other breeds of chickens. However, some Easter Eggers will go broody, especially if they have been bred for this trait.