Adopting a Rooster as a pet

[JenRajni]

My sister has four roosters this year and wants to re-home all but the dominant one. I really like them, and I would love to let one live with me. I live in the country and have a well-built dog house that I can convert into a nice shelter. I am in the woods, so I would like to let him wander as he would like to do. I have no worries with noise where I am. I do not want to raise a bunch of chickens, though. I have some questions:

Can I adopt 2 roosters and no hens?

I need hens, right, so he won't be lonely? Or can he be happy with me?

Do I need to make an enclosure, or can he be truly free range all the time?

 

[SunHwaKwon]

He needs other chickens to not be lonely but with no hens to fight over you can have him with another rooster. Some people do keep "bachelor pads" of males. You will want to make sure you can lock him (or them) up securely at night... I mean raccoon, weasel, rat, fox, etc proof. If you never ever go out of town or won't be home late or leave early then that will be enough. Otherwise, I would also make a secure pen for those instances.

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Of course, you could also just let him be wild and sleep in the trees and try his best at that, but realize that, like having an outdoor cat, the lifespan is severely diminished.

 

[JenRajni]

Thanks. I might adopt 2 roosters then. My sister and landlords have chickens, so we have plenty of eggs and I do not want to maintain a flock if I do not need to. I just want a pet. I will use your tips to secure them! Thanks!

 

[JenRajni]

Follow up question: Can I keep regular roosters with guinea hens?

 

[Dmontgomery]

Follow up question: Can I keep regular roosters with guinea hens?

You may experience some fighting mixing them. I have guineas in the coop with my chickens and they are happy together now. But for the first week or so the guineas fought my alpha rooster any time they got close to him. After about a month they got along well enough that they started roosting right next to him at night!

 

[dekel18042]

Thanks. I might adopt 2 roosters then. My sister and landlords have chickens, so we have plenty of eggs and I do not want to maintain a flock if I do not need to. I just want a pet. I will use your tips to secure them! Thanks!

As long as you're taking two and there is one left, why not take all three? That way if something happens to one the remaining one still has a friend. With chickens, the more the merrier. (being an instigator to chicken math in action.)

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Guineas really like to pull rooster tails. Take all three and maybe they will be threatening enough for the guineas to leave them alone (not likely... my guineas will kung fu kick my turkeys without batting an eye).

 

[Wickedchicken6]

I'd agree with everyone above. If I had it to do over again. I'd just have roosters. I love my guys.

The roosters grew up together so they should be fine. It's hard to say with guineas. I find the male guineas to be the troublemakers who go around and pull feathers and stuff. The femals are more vocal...and less aggressive. I have my 13 guineas in with my hens and it got better. Last year my young guineas followed and stayed with my pet rooster and I controlled them through him.

You may have an issue when you turn these roosters out IF the guineas are out. I had a male guinea who kicked the crap out of the last rooster I got and they would've just killed him. They fight different. And then the male guinea and his posse stalked that rooster for several days still trying to finish him. Everything's good now. It's a process. If you can put the roosters in an area the guineas haven't been...and THEN turn the guineas with them. Then the guineas aren't in a dominant position and they're on unknown turf.

With free ranging, there's always the risk of predators. You may not see them...but they're there. Good luck with those guys! They're lucky to have you!

 

[aart]

Quote: I was thinking take all 3 also.

@JenRajni ....Do your landlords live on the same property as you do?
That could be a problem.