So guys I have a mixed flock. I'm CONSIDERING getting a rooster. If I do what breed would you guys suggest. This is what I have now, all pullets.
3 Easter Eggers
1 blk Austrlorp
1 Buff Orpington
1 Speckled Sussex
1 Barred Rock
1 partridge Plymouth Rock
2 golden laced Wyandottes
1 Rhode Island Red
1 silver laced Wyandotte
It depends on your reasons for wanting a rooster. If you mainly want a flock protector, enjoy hearing them crow, and don't need it to be one of the breeds you already have, I would look for one that is old enough to have shown he is gentle with people. That doesn't always mean one that has been handled a lot, in fact that's sometimes a bad thing, as they can be bolder with people than they should be. A rooster should lead his flock, but be submissive to humans.
As a general rule, getting a rooster from someone who breeds with a purpose, rather than a hatchery oops, is more likely to result in the temperament you want. Breeders usually won't tolerate bad temperaments in their males, they are too much trouble to manage and create chaos in the flock. Hatcheries just want fertile males with high production females. There are many hatchery males who turn out fine, but honestly, there are plenty of nicely bred roosters out there that have minor flaws when considering the Standard of Perfection who will make excellent flock members. I know Wendell (wsmith) will have extra Dominique males later in the year, I have extra Speckled Sussex cockerels and an extra Egyptian Fayoumi cockerel that I already know I won't be keeping, odds are Mayah (coloradogal) has extra males of varying breeds on hand she would be happy to part with, and though we are all a bit far for you, I mention us as examples of people with availability of nice males that are not much different in age from your girls.
If you specifically want a rooster that will sire chicks that are good egg layers, lay colored eggs, or are going to be better birds to process for eating, you can narrow your list by choosing breeds better suited to those purposes. You might just want something that's small and cute, or has feathered legs, or adds color to the flock, there are many possibilities for you.
It sounds like you are still in the hmmmm stage, so as you consider various aspects you can list breeds you may be interested in here in case anyone wants to weigh in with their own experiences and availability. You can even just say, if I want to achieve X, what are breeds that might help me do that?
We all love to talk chicken, so don't hesitate to share your thoughts on this topic
