A choice of cocks

[DeutschHühner]

Greetings from Deutschland!

Our nine Sussex hens are almost a year and a half old now and are just as happy as they can be... at least I like to think so. We're currently treating a case of bumble foot but they are otherwise healthy (although our vet seems to think they are on the heavy side... any chicken work out tips?)

I'm mainly writing because the woman who sold us the hens as babies has a surplus of roosters right now. We don't really need one but we would like to try and save at least one of them from the dinner table. She gave us a choice of five, but the two we are most interested in are a.) a two month old Sussex or b.) a three year old Cemani who is blind in one eye. Now, I've read that it's better to try and introduce a younger cock into the flock and I can see the logic in getting another Sussex, but something about ol' one eye tugs at my heartstrings. I should mention we have no plans to hatch any babies so it would just be to jazz up our flock and maybe give the girls something to look forward to.

I guess the question is, how stupid would I be to go on and get the Cemani? We have a history of making decisions that cause us extra work in the long run, so am I right that this would be another in a long line of bad ideas?

Also, apart from building some sort of separate enclosure for the first week or so, what other accommodations that I haven't thought of will I have to make for our new arrival? I'm assuming he'll eventually migrate to the same roosts that the girls use.

Your input is appreciated! Vielen Dank!

 

[cleoandtheflock]

the blind roosters sounds nice
But the Sussex would be sweet also

 

[Alaskan]

I would like... if at all possible. . ..

To meet the roosters first.

For me personality is most important.

I would only get a male that showed ZERO sign of being aggressive towards humans.

Also.. if the males are in a flock setting... I would toss out treats and see which one did well by the ladies.

A good male should call the ladies to the treat and maybe even dance for them.

If there was any chance at all that you would be tempted to hatch eggs, and the lost eye was genetic.. I would say no to that one.

Otherwise... for me... look for personality.


As to fat hens...feed less treats and give them more space.

 

[aart]

We don't really need one but we would like to try and save at least one of them from the dinner table.

If you just want to 'save' male chickens, get them all and build more coops and runs.

 

[ChemicalchiCkns]

WE want the pixctures, first.

 

[Ridgerunner]

No workout tips but look at diet. I don't know what they are eating but consider ways to reduce intake. To me that includes protein levels as well as threats.

In my opinion the potentially easiest integration is usually a mature rooster to a flock of mature hens. Usually he walks into the flock area, struts his stuff, mates a couple of hens to show he is flock master, and it is over. Sometimes the dominant hen does not want to give up being the boss so there is some resisting or even fighting but as long as you don't see blood it should be fine. The Cemani will be smaller than the Sussex hens so that may make his takeover a bit harder but a good rooster will manage. I don't know why he lost the sight in one eye, that might be good to know. If it was by accident or another chicken pecking him I would not be bothered by it.

A two month old cockerel introduced to a flock of mature hens is a lot harder. It's more challenging to introduce a single chick of any sex to a mature flock of hen. They are social animals and want to be together but mature hens often do not to be bothered by immature chicks. So the chick is often lonely. Then, when his hormones hit, you have to suffer through his puberty. He will want to mate with the hens and take over as flock master, mature hens often don't feel that a snooty brat is worthy of being the father of their chicks. They don't know you do not plan to hatch eggs. Other things being equal I'd take a mature rooster any day.

The only reason you need a rooster is if you want fertile eggs. You say you don't so it is personal preference. Personal preference can be pretty strong and a good reason. My recommendation is to keep as few roosters as you can and still meet your goals. That's not because you are guaranteed problems with more roosters, just that problems are more likely.

I see three options for you. Build a bachelor coop and pen and take them all. Definitely more expense and work for you, short term and long term.

Take either one of them and work through any issues.

Just say no. I tend to use the philosophy that if it isn't broken, don't fix it. You might break the peace and harmony of your flock, short term or long term. Since you don't plan to hatch eggs to me the risk is not worth it. But it might be to you.

 

[DeutschHühner]

WE want the pixctures, first.

 

[luckychick105]

No workout tips but look at diet. I don't know what they are eating but consider ways to reduce intake. To me that includes protein levels as well as threats.

In my opinion the potentially easiest integration is usually a mature rooster to a flock of mature hens. Usually he walks into the flock area, struts his stuff, mates a couple of hens to show he is flock master, and it is over. Sometimes the dominant hen does not want to give up being the boss so there is some resisting or even fighting but as long as you don't see blood it should be fine. The Cemani will be smaller than the Sussex hens so that may make his takeover a bit harder but a good rooster will manage. I don't know why he lost the sight in one eye, that might be good to know. If it was by accident or another chicken pecking him I would not be bothered by it.

A two month old cockerel introduced to a flock of mature hens is a lot harder. It's more challenging to introduce a single chick of any sex to a mature flock of hen. They are social animals and want to be together but mature hens often do not to be bothered by immature chicks. So the chick is often lonely. Then, when his hormones hit, you have to suffer through his puberty. He will want to mate with the hens and take over as flock master, mature hens often don't feel that a snooty brat is worthy of being the father of their chicks. They don't know you do not plan to hatch eggs. Other things being equal I'd take a mature rooster any day.

The only reason you need a rooster is if you want fertile eggs. You say you don't so it is personal preference. Personal preference can be pretty strong and a good reason. My recommendation is to keep as few roosters as you can and still meet your goals. That's not because you are guaranteed problems with more roosters, just that problems are more likely.

I see three options for you. Build a bachelor coop and pen and take them all. Definitely more expense and work for you, short term and long term.

Take either one of them and work through any issues.

Just say no. I tend to use the philosophy that if it isn't broken, don't fix it. You might break the peace and harmony of your flock, short term or long term. Since you don't plan to hatch eggs to me the risk is not worth it. But it might be to you.

View attachment 1717573View attachment 1717574 View attachment 1717575

The cemani is v.pretty!

 

[Shadrach]

If you free range your flock and they have say an acre of ground or more to range in then thinking about getting a rooster for your hens is sensible. Roosters do an awful lot more than just fertilize eggs in a free range setting. It's a shame more people don't realise this.
If you keep your chickens in a run then things are rather different.
Just keeping a few hens for eggs and/pets is relatively straightforward. When you introduce a rooster everything changes.
Briefly, the hens become the roosters hens and not yours. It's a problem that you will see over and over again here on BYC. If you can't accept this then don't get a rooster. You will just end up killing him because of his natural instinct to protect his flock and that often means protecting them from you. It's a learning curve from there on.
Some may tell you get a rooster that is human friendly. You can end up killing a lot of roosters until you find one the is placid enough for you, or other members of your family if applicable to cope with.
So, if you have family members who will want to be involved with the chickens, don't get a rooster.

 

[cleoandtheflock]

Get both!