Are my hens better off WITH the rooster or WITHOUT the rooster?

[rod5591]

My Delaware cockerel/rooster is now 5 months old. He is the one rooster in a flock of 17 hens. He had 4 brothers, but I culled them about a month ago, because I want laying hens and we were really tight on space. I am thinking about culling him too, since I don't much like his behavior with a few of the hens--he chases them down and pecks them on the back. He seems to pick on a small Rhode Island Red in particular. He is pretty noisy too--crowing all the time, even in the middle of the day. None of my hens are laying yet. They free range in my fenced back yard, and they sleep spread out in 2 smallish coops. I am in the Tennessee countryside, and there are hawks, owl, coons, possums, coyotes and foxes, but they all have been keeping their distance. If I see one nearby, I try to shoot it. (Only one possum so far). Here's my question: Are my hens better off WITH the rooster or WITHOUT the rooster? My wife, who grew up on a farm, says the hens will feel more safe with a rooster. Is she right?

 

[HuskerHens18]

Depends if the rooster is trying to protect them. If he's a good rooster he will call them when he finds something tasty, and either chase them to safety or make a warning call when a hawk or predator is near. If he doesn't do any of that then I'd say try a different rooster.
I wish I was closer because I absolutely LOVE his colors

My King Rooster has put himself in danger for my hens and saved one of my pullets who got lost during a hawk attack. That's what you want in a good rooster.

 

[Folly's place]

I like having roosters in my flock, and feel it makes the group more complete. But only polite boys who aren't human aggressive in any way!
You have adolescents, not adults! Your cockerel wants to mate with pullets his age, who aren't quite ready yet, and you don't have any hens or mature roosters to manage these growing pains in your new flock.
If he's not causing actual injuries, and they have plenty of space, and he's not human aggressive, keep him and see how things work out.
He's very good looking!
Mary

 

[RWise]

I luv my rooster/s, but unless you want chicks he is not needed. Though I think myself that a rooster increases egg production a tad (and I want chicks). I also put the youngsters I wish to keep in bachelor pads to grow out, the youngest would be 1 YO to be on my flock, I prefer 2 YOs. If you want chicks, does he meet what you want in your future flock?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I don't have a rooster, but have been reading and researching about them because I want to add one. Most say that roosters are more mature once they reach a year or older. They settle down and do what they are supposed to do - tidbit, watch over the flock, woo the ladies etc. The hens then feel more at ease and will not have to always be on the look out.
Your rooster is still young and is still learning the ropes. Sounds like your hens are too. I would give him some time yet.

 

[HeyHo]

I'm in the same boat -- a lovely 4 month roo that is a bit of a bully to the hens but just fine to the humans. How long do rod5591 and I wait to see how our boys turn out? By when is their behavior generally settled down?

 

[HenHouse4Life]

Roosters serve their purpose protecting the flock for the most part, I just love all of my boys. As far as the crowing....yup.... he's a rooster so that's what he'll do.
At 5 months old I think he's in that awkward stage where he's transitioning from very young to that maturity stage where they're very hormonal and will behave however they feel they're supposed to, he'll figure it out.
I personally wouldn't jump the gun on culling him just yet, you may find him to be beneficial.

 

[Biddybot]

Since your birds free range and there are lots of predators about, keep the rooster. He's still young--I wouldn't expect too much of him yet--but if he turns out to be a good one, he could be a life-saver in the future. Try secretly giving him a tasty treat to get an idea of what sort of character he has...does he gobble it down himself or call the pullets over and let them have it? And if something suspicious flies over, a raven or hawk, is he one of the first birds to sound the alarm or is he oblivious? Another good sign is if you notice him standing upright and looking around a lot while the pullets all around him have their heads down and are busy scratching...that's an early indicator that they already have confidence in him to keep watch while they go about the important business of finding goodies. Yes, the chasing and pecking is obnoxious, but with so many pullets about, it should be fine and he'll likely settle down and develop a little more finesse in time. Most of them do.

Lastly, roosters can be just plain amusing to have around. One of the best chicken laughs I've had so far this year was when a sharp-shinned hawk sped over my yard en route to trying his luck catching something at my neighbour's feeders. Sharp-shins aren't dangerous to adult chickens, but my current chief rooster, who runs with his own little flock and who was foraging with his girls way in the back, sounded the alarm even so and gathered them all around the base of a bridalwreath spirea bush for cover. Unfortunately, it was still very early spring and the bush was still leafless, not to mention just plain puny. It looked like an elephant trying to hide behind a palm tree. Oh well, his intentions were good...

 

[rod5591]

<<And if something suspicious flies over, a raven or hawk, is he one of the first birds to sound the alarm or is he oblivious? >>

You know, I did notice two days ago that he gave a short vocalization when a big crane flew over--and now that I think about it, he looks around a good deal. So maybe he will turn out OK. I will keep him around for now. Thanks to all who answered.

 

[Amz87]

He is so beautiful though!
Can you re home him maybe instead of culling?
I had 4 hens (one died on the weekend) so 3 now, and no roo. We are on 5 acres and I think they would feel safer with a roo but they are just too noisy for my liking although you can get collars to muffle the sound (I don’t know how well these things work though) there’s definitely benefits to having one.