I'm looking to add a rooster to our flock, purpose mainly to hatch chicks every so often. We got a few straight run chicks which turned out to be all females, plus another 3 that we bought as females. So we have 9 females and would like to add 1 rooster. The hens are 16 weeks (6 of them) and 13 weeks (3 of them).
Would it make sense to get a younger one, eg 12-18 weeks old? I was looking at a 14 week old Light Brahma that may be available near me.
Or is that a bad age since that's hormone time? I figured not to get one too young bc he would be smaller than the girls, but I don't know if it's better to get one a bit older eg 1 y/o.
I want to make sure there's less chance of getting an aggressive one so I was thinking Orpington, Brahma, Barred Rock, maybe Langshan or Wyandotte.
Any advice is appreciated!
Edit: For now the hens are in a good-sized coop and fully enclosed/secured run. Not sure if we will free range in the yard which is fully fenced (8 ft solid fence)
Would it make sense to get a younger one, eg 12-18 weeks old? I was looking at a 14 week old Light Brahma that may be available near me.
Or is that a bad age since that's hormone time? I figured not to get one too young bc he would be smaller than the girls, but I don't know if it's better to get one a bit older eg 1 y/o.
I want to make sure there's less chance of getting an aggressive one so I was thinking Orpington, Brahma, Barred Rock, maybe Langshan or Wyandotte.
Any advice is appreciated!
Edit: For now the hens are in a good-sized coop and fully enclosed/secured run. Not sure if we will free range in the yard which is fully fenced (8 ft solid fence)