Can I put a small to medium rooster with two large hens?

shannon84

Crowing
9 Years
Jun 1, 2016
1,048
780
301
Indiana
Hi, I recently lost my rooster to an illness about a mouth ago, he was a stray buff Orpington that showed up randomly in our front yard. We had no chickens and knew very little about them, I couldn't let him go homeless and get snatched up by a predator, so we took him in built a coop and large run for him. My dad gave me two adult hens one RIR and a new Hampshire red, since my roosters passing we are missing him terribly, the hens and I . ... They act depressed and scared without him, they are getting up there in age so I don't want to traumatize them with a young huge rooster, but they seem like they feel safer with a rooster. Should I get another rooster, and what breeds should I consider? I'm not wanting to get a huge rooster again. I just don't know what to do or if I should even get a roo with them being 4 years old. One has gray hair, she's dominate and is growing spurs so I'm hoping she won't get too crazy on any new chickens :oops:. Thanks!
 
Are you planning on hatching chicks anytime soon, what's your climate, and what's your budget? The hens won't care what medium-sized breed the roo is but their keeper might.
I'm scared, I've never raised baby chicks :barnie does it take forever for them to get big? I live in indiana, winters can get pretty cold but our summers are super hot. So I guess if there is a breed that's cold hardy and heat tolerant? Not sure about budget, isn't most chicks pretty cheap? Thank you for helping me :)
 
They act depressed and scared without him, they are getting up there in age so I don't want to traumatize them with a young huge rooster, but they seem like they feel safer with a rooster. Should I get another rooster, and what breeds should I consider?
Romance meets Reality.
They're reacting to losing a flock member, they will get over it.
I would not add more birds of either gender.
What 'illness' did the cockbird die from?
There's a good chance your other birds are carrying this illness,
even if not showing symptoms,
and will pass it on to any new birds.

One has gray hair, she's dominate and is growing spurs
Um...chickens don't have hair, and their feathers don't turn gray with age like human hair does.
Not unusual for hens to have spurs, and their size can sometimes show their age.
 
Romance meets Reality.
They're reacting to losing a flock member, they will get over it.
I would not add more birds of either gender.
What 'illness' did the cockbird die from?
There's a good chance your other birds are carrying this illness,
even if not showing symptoms,
and will pass it on to any new birds.

Um...chickens don't have hair, and their feathers don't turn gray with age like human hair does.
Not unusual for hens to have spurs, and their size can sometimes show their age.
I meant feathers, I don't know why I said hairs :oops: She does have gray face feathers I've never noticed before lol I swear! I'm really thinking he passed away from Marek's, I know I can't be 100% sure but he had some pretty spot on symptoms. I know I'm really concerned and scared on adding any chickens at all, even vaccinated ones . But I only have two hens now and when one passes away the other will be left alone :( I feel like I have a diseased property thats contaminated :hit I really want to own more chickens still
 

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