Roosters necessary?

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ikatiemay

ikatiemay

Songster
9 Years
Sep 21, 2010
126
2
101
Eden Utah
ISeem to have rooster issues. My girls are almost bald, backs heads and necks! All I can think of is rooster damage. I don't think we have bugs. I do free range some when weather permits. My question is do the girls need a roo for protection from preditors?
 
A rooster can't take on a raccoon or a coyote and win - the best he can do is be alert to the dangers and warn the girls to hide. A good lead hen can do the same. So no, you don't need a rooster, and your girls may get more peace without him, by the sounds of things.
 
HEChicken said:
A rooster can't take on a raccoon or a coyote and win - the best he can do is be alert to the dangers and warn the girls to hide. A good lead hen can do the same. So no, you don't need a rooster, and your girls may get more peace without him, by the sounds of things.
Click to expand...


X 2 The primary protection a rooster provides is as a warning system. A good rooster is a joy to have - an overly aggressive obnoxious rooster is disliked by hens and owners.
 
How many roos and hens do you have, and how much space is there? If they're mostly penned, as it sounds, I'd closely examine my ratio and cull roos as needed.
 
I know I have too many Roos, 2 and I'm down to 11 hens. I have a wonderful 3 year old black Australop that just got an eye injury and is blind in his eye. He is the friendliest and loves to be held. Also an americana, not aggressive but I think he is on the girls a lot. They are in the coop 10x10 with a 10x14 covered yard, because of the snow they can't free range. I guess I should cull both Roos? I will be getting chicks this spring to replace some of the 3 yr old girls that don't lay anymore. This is a part of chicken keeping I didnt anticapate! Do most people cull and replace?
 
A rooster is only necessary if you want chicks. If you don't mind replacing your hens rather than breeding your own, you can get by without a rooster. Personally I prefer a rooster for every five hens since they are a good alarm, and I prefer the taste of fertilized eggs. And raising chickens is just plain fun and a healthy hobby. Good luck...
 
Off topic a bit, but my wife and I notice the roosters forgo the best treats and let the hens eat them. Nice of the gentlemen, huh?
 
I get rid of roos after the first crow and my girls do just fine. They thrive! A lead bird always emerges and I get lots of passive squatters to handle easily. Most predators in my area are nocturnal so I don't need a roo to warn them.
 

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