Living with a rooster can be difficult. But it can also be easy. It depends on a few things, the bird, the environment, and you. Roosters can protect a flock, manage your flock, and fertilize eggs. Roosters also have downsides most roosters will crow but some wont, the can be aggressive to there keepers, and they can over breed their hens. Roosters are not mandatory for your flock but many experienced chicken keepers keep rooster.
Raising up a good rooster.
If you have a young cockerel here are some tips on how to have a good outcome with your cockerel. Don't cuddle. Cuddling can lead to aggression in a roo they will think they are in charge and become aggressive when they are older. Many chicken keepers have noticed that cockerels are nicer when they are raised up under older hens. They set a young cockerel in line and let him know he is not the boss.
-My EE cockerel that I leave alone and he leaves me alone.
Tame breeds of rooster
Orpingtons, Brahmas, Cochins, and Silkies are some nice breeds of rooster. Overall breed dose not determine a roosters temperament but people have had luck with these breeds. I have observed that bantam breeds have a good temperament. Bantams are small and manageable so even if they are aggressive they wont do as much damage as a full sized rooster. (I am not implying that aggressiveness should be tolerated)
How to deal with an aggressive rooster.
If you have a rooster that has become aggressive there are many ways to deal with them. One way is to hold him and walk around with him and walk around with him. This will let him know your the boss, however this process will need to be repeated. Some Chicken keepers do not tolerate aggressiveness and will cull aggressive cockerels.
-This was an extremely aggressive Rooster that we culled a few weeks ago. My flock has become less of a nucienc and more of a pleasure.
How many hens dose a rooster need.
The average ratio of hens to roosters is 1:10. But each rooster is different. My rooster has been okay with 4 hens and right now he has 8. If you have multiple roosters in your flock be sure you have enough hens. Roosters will fight (sometimes to the death) over hens. Another option is a bachelor pad were you can keep all of your roosters.
Raising up a good rooster.
If you have a young cockerel here are some tips on how to have a good outcome with your cockerel. Don't cuddle. Cuddling can lead to aggression in a roo they will think they are in charge and become aggressive when they are older. Many chicken keepers have noticed that cockerels are nicer when they are raised up under older hens. They set a young cockerel in line and let him know he is not the boss.
-My EE cockerel that I leave alone and he leaves me alone.
Tame breeds of rooster
Orpingtons, Brahmas, Cochins, and Silkies are some nice breeds of rooster. Overall breed dose not determine a roosters temperament but people have had luck with these breeds. I have observed that bantam breeds have a good temperament. Bantams are small and manageable so even if they are aggressive they wont do as much damage as a full sized rooster. (I am not implying that aggressiveness should be tolerated)
How to deal with an aggressive rooster.
If you have a rooster that has become aggressive there are many ways to deal with them. One way is to hold him and walk around with him and walk around with him. This will let him know your the boss, however this process will need to be repeated. Some Chicken keepers do not tolerate aggressiveness and will cull aggressive cockerels.
-This was an extremely aggressive Rooster that we culled a few weeks ago. My flock has become less of a nucienc and more of a pleasure.
How many hens dose a rooster need.
The average ratio of hens to roosters is 1:10. But each rooster is different. My rooster has been okay with 4 hens and right now he has 8. If you have multiple roosters in your flock be sure you have enough hens. Roosters will fight (sometimes to the death) over hens. Another option is a bachelor pad were you can keep all of your roosters.
