Hi!! :)

The breeds that have a well deserved reputation for being calm and gentle such as Australorps, Orpingtons, Brahmas, Cochins, Sussex, and Faverolles usually have the most gentle roosters as well (although there can always be an exception with any breed). A good question to ask is, "Why do you want a rooster?" The only reason you really need a rooster is to fertilize eggs for hatching and 1 rooster can easily handle 10-12 hens in that regard. I currently have 25 hens and no roosters in my flock, and I get loads of eggs without all the aggression, fights, biting and feather plucking, feeding of non-productive mouths, crowing in the middle of the night, drop off in egg production due to stressed hens, and over-breeding and battering of hens that goes along with having roosters (especially too many). My hens are stress free and enjoying life without a rooster around. If you do decide to get a rooster, I would only get 1 with a flock of 10-12 hens.

My main reason for wanting a rooster is to protect the flock. We live on the edge of a wooded area, and there is really no extremely safe place to put a coop. I may just give it a go without one and see how my hens do...I'm mostly concerned about a rooster becoming aggressive towards my young kids.
 
My main reason for wanting a rooster is to protect the flock. We live on the edge of a wooded area, and there is really no extremely safe place to put a coop. I may just give it a go without one and see how my hens do...I'm mostly concerned about a rooster becoming aggressive towards my young kids.
Unfortunately the roosters of the docile breeds I've had over the years are usually pretty much worthless for protecting a flock. In fact, sometimes it is the rooster himself who falls prey to the predator.
 
Unfortunately the roosters of the docile breeds I've had over the years are usually pretty much worthless for protecting a flock. In fact, sometimes it is the rooster himself who falls prey to the predator.
Oh that makes sense. Thanks! Maybe we will just see how they do without a rooster...I really don't want an aggressive rooster!
 
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I'm glad you joined our "flock!"
 

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