Are hens happier with a rooster around?

[trackrunner]

I know you don't need a rooster for egg production, but wonder if the presence of a rooster makes for happier, more natural, less stressed hens, and would therefore make for better egg production. This is a science project in the works and any feedback would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[arlee453]

Hmmm... I wonder about this too - seems like the rooster would create MORE stress around the hen house, not less with his constant, um, 'demands', plucking feathers, etc.

But I don't have any direct experience. It's not like a bunch of hens together won't have squabbles with or without a roo and maybe having a roo keeps the hens more in line and less squabbling amongst themselves??

Just thinking aloud here...

 

[jessupfamily]

This is not scientific, but it definitely made our girls happier! They started laying more and were quieter and just seemed calmer! We've had flocks started with a rooster and we've had a flock that didn't have a rooster. The flock without were laying sporadically and were really noisy and unsettled. When we finally brought our "Motorcycle" rooster here the girls were happier and started laying really good! Like I said it's not scientific, just our experience.
Amy J.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

It probably depends on the rooster. If you have a mean, demanding rooster, one who wants to eat first, one who constantly mates etc. then it would add more stress. If you have a good rooster, one who finds food for the girls, mates only when necessary, or protects them for predators, then it should be less stressful for them. I don't know if it's less stressful then without a rooster, I should think it shouldn't matter. Mainly because if there's no rooster, one of the hens will act as the dictator. Or that's what I think anyway.
Edit...because I forgot to complete my sentence.

 

[PurpleChicken]

I believe Angie is right that it depends on the rooster. Our hens are just
over 6 months now and have been without a rooster for a week. The hens
have had a couple little skats as they reestablish the pecking order. Overall
they are about the same.

The biggest difference I noticed is when I culled 2 hens that were spazzes.
Not having them constantly frieking out the flock was a big help.

Don

 

[rattylady]

Yeah It might just depend but maybe the hens might be happy with a rooster I dont know!!

 

[bigzio]

Hens in my opinion are happier without the constant badgering from the roo. If you are familiar with the old term " Hen House " , it was for a good a reason and that is the peaceful place for them alone to lay eggs and mingle together.
If you have a seperate place for the roo to exist, then that works better.... The special roo we all want does exist, I have one but it took many to find him, they aren't the norm....

bigzio

 

[Southern28Chick]

My girls have always had a rooster so I'm not an expert BUT I think my girls feel safer with their big hunka man bird around than they would without him.

I reckon I'm just lucky. After my baby roo I died I bought a 1 year old dominique roo. He's great! He protects his girls and he's nice to me. He's a good guy!

 

[devora]

Well, we have 6 girls and no guy...so we're the guy. When I walk by they often squat, I give 'em a nice scratch on the back, maybe pick 'em up, snuggle snuggle.

Hmmmm, I suppose it may seem to an outsider that things are getting a bit odd around here...

but the girls seem happy.

 

[Mulemom]

I'm new to the chicken thing, but my friend has had hens for ten years, this last spring was the first year she had a roo and she says her egg production doubled.

I just started getting eggs last week and my new roo gets here tomorrow. It could be interesting, but not very scientific since 24 hens are giving me about 6 eggs a day at this point.