A NEW Rooster with NEW chickens

[backwoodbrigade]

Hi all! Now that my coop has been built, i found a lady who raises chickens. .i am going to get 6 Rhode Island Reds that are already laying.. they have a nice big (8x8x10) coop and a large yard to free range. .so here is my question. .

I would like to get a rooster, and found a beautiful black pure bred Australorp. . i would like to get him to add to the flock im getting. .do i need to quarantine him for 30 days or so?

Also, i heard it's not necessarily good, because he could fertilize the eggs, and they could be spoiled? Any thoughts on this??

I would like to get him because he looks great, and we live on a mountain. .perhaps he would be a good guard for the flock??

Any thoughts, as i am new to this and have no clue. .

Thanks.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I will speak to the fertilized eggs... They are not "spoiled." You can eat them just like any other egg. They need a hen setting on them in order to develop. Just collect them every day.

 

[backwoodbrigade]

but will they have blood in them?

Should i get this rooster?

will he be a good addition, or is it better to just have hens. .

 

[7L Farm]

Eggs will be fine. Yes a good rooster will give his life to protect his flock. But there's no guarantees. I would quarantine as you mentioned.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Quote:
Tiny blood spots can occur in unfertilized eggs as well. It is not a sign of fertilization. They do not hurt anything and you can still eat the egg.

You will have to decide whether or not it is practical for you to get a rooster. Are you in an area where it is okay to have one? Will the crowing bother you or your neighbors? I would ask about the temperament of this rooster. Is he good to the hens and not overly rough? Is he protective? Is he aggressive toward humans?

 

[equinelyn]

Got a pic of the roo?

 

[backwoodbrigade]

The person i'm getting him from says he's great with his flock. . he's a good "leader", who is protective and gets them in the coop at night. .

how will he be with a totally different flock? How should i introduce them?

When i asked this guy about quarantining the rooster. .he said "heck no". . just put him right in the coop with the hens. . is this ok??

I'm getting the 6 hens tonight, and the rooster tomorrow morning.

any advice would be greatly appreciated. .thanks

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Sorry. I don't have a rooster, nor have I ever integrated flock before (still have my original four). You will read on here, however, that most people seem to advise a quarantine. There are also various ways to introduce new flock members. I'm guessing that you can probably find some ideas that will fit what you are trying to do.

Good luck!