Can I keep my rooster?

[Wvsteph23]

I am still very new to the chicken raising life. I have 5 hens and 1 rooster. If he is friendly now at 20 weeks, will that change? Also, is it true that if you have a small flock, the rooster will “wear the hens out”? Is it best to get rid of him now before anything changes? Struggling!

 

[MountainWoman73]

It depends on the rooster. You just have to wait and see. I've had friendly roosters that stay nice, and also those who seemed nice and then got more aggressive with age. I really love having a good rooster, but I'm also prepared to eat them if they start going after people or terrorizing the hens. I try to keep my roosters friendly by hand feeding treats and only having one roo at a time so he doesn't feel competitive. But that isn't a guarantee. One rooster to 5 hens seems like an okay size flock to me, but if they start hiding from him or are losing a lot of feathers then he's probably being too rough. You'll know. In the meantime, enjoy him. I bet he's starting to get really pretty!

 

[Trish1974]

Also, is it true that if you have a small flock, the rooster will “wear the hens out”? I

Not necessarily. I have a breeding pair, trio, and quad, and none of my hens are over mated or abused.

 

[Shadrach]

I am still very new to the chicken raising life. I have 5 hens and 1 rooster. If he is friendly now at 20 weeks, will that change? Also, is it true that if you have a small flock, the rooster will “wear the hens out”? Is it best to get rid of him now before anything changes? Struggling!

Yes, it will probably change. That doesn't necessarily mean he has to go.
I wrote this article a while ago to hopefully answer some of the questions people have about keeping roosters.
Things are a bit different if you keep your chickens confined but I hope the information will help.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Glad you joined.

I have 5 hens and 1 rooster. If he is friendly now at 20 weeks, will that change?

At 20 weeks he is still an adolescent cockerel. He will go through some changes as he matures. No one can tell you what those changes will be, whether they will be good, bad, or negligible. If he hasn't already (and he probably has) he will become the flock master. He will keep eggs fertile. A good rooster should take care of his flock. But there is a difference in an immature cockerel and a mature rooster, just like there is a difference in an immature pullet and a mature hen. It can get pretty rough
as they go through adolescence.

Will he remain friendly or become more stand-offish as he matures? I don't know. Will he become human aggressive? I don't know. With living animals and behaviors you just don't know what will happen.

Also, is it true that if you have a small flock, the rooster will “wear the hens out”?

Not always. Often not at all. Some people keep one rooster with only one or two hens and don't have the bare-back hens, over-mating, or other problems. Some people keep one rooster with over 20 hens and do experience some of those problems. Again, with living animals you don't know what will happen when it comes to behaviors.

Typically things can get pretty wild while they are going through adolescence. The cockerels hormones are raging, he does not have any self-control, and the pullets aren't mature enough to do their part. If you can get through this phase, they typically mature into a peaceful flock. Not always but usually.

Is it best to get rid of him now before anything changes?

I don't know you goals, especially pertaining to that cockerel. Why do you want a rooster? The only reason you need a rooster is if you want fertile eggs. Everything else is personal preference. Nothing wrong with personal preference, that can be a strong motivator. I generally suggest you keep as few males as you can and still meet your goals. That's not because you are guaranteed problems with more males, just that problems are more likely. I don't know if the right number for you is zero or one.

Good luck and again

 

[Soy Milano]

Yes PLEASE keep your rooster! He will be fine! They are so much fun to have, they will help you protect your hens and everything. If you're worried about the future, just follow these tips - http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/gentling-roosters

 

[Sea Wolf]

Keep your rooster and give him a chance. I had one rooster that was very gentle and sweet (maybe a bit retarded). I've had others that became serious Aholes and were unceremoniously rehomed to the stew pot. You will know in time if he's a keeper or not. The hens do not need a rooster though you will need one if you want to hatch your own eggs at some point. If he becomes a jerk, get rid of him. Free roosters are all over the place and you could easily find a better one.

 

[AuntieWeasel]

Thanks to a fox attack, I have two adult roosters and one poor hen. She's holding up just fine, the boys are getting along okay so far. A little squabbling, but no serious aggression. They hatched together, which helps.

(Yes, more girls are coming, but they're still little).

 

[Wvsteph23]

It depends on the rooster. You just have to wait and see. I've had friendly roosters that stay nice, and also those who seemed nice and then got more aggressive with age. I really love having a good rooster, but I'm also prepared to eat them if they start going after people or terrorizing the hens. I try to keep my roosters friendly by hand feeding treats and only having one roo at a time so he doesn't feel competitive. But that isn't a guarantee. One rooster to 5 hens seems like an okay size flock to me, but if they start hiding from him or are losing a lot of feathers then he's probably being too rough. You'll know. In the meantime, enjoy him. I bet he's starting to get really pretty!

Thank you for your wonderful feedback. He is absolutely beautiful and I hope he stays just like he is