Do hens prefer to have a rooster?

[Pinky]

I think my hens like having a rooster around.My blue andalusian hen and my two black australorp hens race to the coop in the evening to get the spot near my white leghorn rooster to sleep next to him.
My other flock won't leave the coop area if my RIR rooster doesn't go out first.I think having a rooster around makes my hens feel safer.They sure do spot the hawks when I don't.

 

[cmom]

I didn't have a Rooster until I got my last batch of chicks. My girls have done well. They ignore the young Roo. My younger girls don't seem to get too excited when he is around. Actually they are goiung through establishing their pecking order and they go up to the Roo and fluff up and try to chest bump him until he puffs up and then goes back at them. I ordered all pullets and this guy slipped through. A neighor friend had two Roos and finally got rid of both as most of the girls had no feathers on their backs.

 

[princess araucana]

colby318, the image I get of the ladies night vs. weeping groupies is so funny!!

I love hearing eveyones social scene. makes me think maybe I'm lucky to have a mellow dude!
Maybe he can stay until he actually bothers a neighbor (or a girl!)...?

 

[crtrlovr]

Quote:
ladies' (hens) night out, --- hysterically weeping groupies

Oh, wow, what a picture!! that's so funny!!!

 

[Beekissed]

yes, vivid imagery there!

I've heard that a dominant hen will take over the roll of a rooster in some cases and will guard and tend the flock. I've never had hens without a rooster, so I wouldn't know, but my alpha roo is a very busy boy.

He is in all places at all times, is the only chicken still out in the yard when the hawks make a dive~daring them in all his little RIR chickenhood to step claw near his ladies!! He is a bully to the younger, but much bigger, roos, and teaches them some respect. He is a gentleman with the ladies, chases off the cat, finds his girls the choice foods and determines the roosting order.

If I were a big, ol' fluffy-butted hen and I had to share a man amongst all the other biddies...I would still choose to keep him around~he's a good man!

 

[luvmygirlsinAK]

Our alpha roo is the sweetest! He came to us bruised and battered with a limp and frostbite on his comb. He still protected his girls, and they sure protected him!!! Now he is doing much better, and loves to "cover" his girls when they lay their eggs. Sooo gentle and kind! He enjoys being loved on by the girls or humans alike! The coop wouldn't be the same without him!!