Any reason to keep baby rooster?

[amijab]

Hi I can't have roosters where I live and one of my 17 -6 week d chicks is definetly a rooster. Is there any reasons to keep him around for a few months before getting rid of him? I guess I'm wondering if roosters help establish the pecking order among the ladies or help to maintain some kind of order between them.
Thanks!!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Well, they DO absolutely do that. They also help to protect your flock from predators after they're about 6 months old. But the moment you get rid of him they'll have to fight it out amongst themselves all over again anyhow. If you have to get rid of him one way or another sooner is better.

Unless you'd like to eat him. Then you could confine him in a small pen and feed him an all-you-cat-eat diet of meat bird feed until about 22 weeks and have a nice roast chicken meal.

 

[keesmom]

Your pullets will be perfectly fine without him. It can be very difficult to give away cockerels, especially at this time of year, so the sooner you start the process the better.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The only reason I can think of to keep him around is if you plant to eat him, there isn't much meat on him now. Your pullets will be fine without him.

 

[amijab]

Ok thanks!