Story by Doug Ottinger, read by Jessica Mitchell.

Find out how many males you need in your flock for fertile eggs.

For more great articles on livestock and land management, large and small farming, and even bees, go to the Grit website.

If you're interested in workshops about everything from cheesemaking to soil health to building around your property, you can take our online classes and attend the MOTHER EARTH NEWS Fairs.

Grit's sister publications are MOTHER EARTH NEWS, Backyard Poultry, and Backyard Beekeeping.