Do I NEED a roo?

[Bluerosesd]

I am just starting my flock in a few days. The ones I am getting are supposedly all girls. Do I need a roo?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

You onlyy"need" a rooster if you want fertile eggs

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I just want to watch them, give treats, and have them as pets. I can remember being a little girl going to my grandmas run and picking grass for the chickens. I would dig worms to watch them run with them. The eggs are frosting on the cake to me. I just want the amusement of them. They won’t be free range out of a run because I live in a suburb. I will move their run when all the grass and stuff is gone.

Are rooster allowed where you live? Many cities that allow backyard flocks specifically prohibit roosters, so this while question may be a moot point.

Honestly, from what you describe that you want from your experience with this flock a rooster had more potential to be a complication than anything, skip having one and enjoy your hens.

 

[Roosters110]

My two Zeus,the big guy,and tough stuff the Cochin bantam

 

[Bluerosesd]

I just want to watch them, give treats, and have them as pets. I can remember being a little girl going to my grandmas run and picking grass for the chickens. I would dig worms to watch them run with them. The eggs are frosting on the cake to me. I just want the amusement of them. They won’t be free range out of a run because I live in a suburb. I will move their run when all the grass and stuff is gone.

 

[Farmgal101]

I am just starting my flock in a few days. The ones I am getting are supposedly all girls. Do I need a roo?

You dont necessarily need a rooster,But they can be nice to have for the hens.Most and some rooster also protect the hens from danger.A rooster will risk its life for the hens.Some people get them so they are able to hatch eggs and sell ...Is there any specific reason your getting chickens?

 

[Riche Bronson]

I have 8 hens and no roo. I do have 3 dogs tho, who keep the cats and other varmints away. Not only are we currently living in a subdivision where people don’t appreciate being woken up at 3am, but we also didn’t want fertilized eggs or traumatized hens (we had a nympho roo for about 6 months who was supposed to be a pullet. We tried to keep him but it just wasn’t working out.. for many reasons.). The dogs do a great job- and they’re not like farm dogs or anything either. We have an aging English Bulldog, an Imperial Shih Tzu and a Chihuahua. The little ones are barking maniacs- yappers- so along with them yapping, and the hens carrying on, we definitely know when anything comes around. The EBD keeps the cats away just because of her size and the tone of her barking. We lock the hens up in their coop at night so nothing can bother them when the dogs come inside for the night and let the dogs out with them in the morning. In the colder months the dogs can’t be out all day, but we haven’t had any issues. Works well for us!

 

[sumi]

I've been keeping chickens for about 12 years now and almost always had at least one rooster in the flock, for fertile eggs and also because I like them. A good rooster can be a wonderful part of a flock, as a well as a great pet. I've had roosters that fought off predators to protect their hens and come into my house to say "hello" and come check on me when I was unwell. Depending on breed, temperament and how they are raised, they can have wonderful personalities and be great fun to have around and interact with.

As previous posters said, the crowing can be an issue, especially if you have close neighbours. They are LOUD and they do not half care what time of the day or night it is. I've had my share of 03:00am callers too!

To answer the OP's question, unless you want fertile eggs from your hens, you do not NEED a rooster, but they can be great to have around if you can get the right one and the crowing is not a problem.

 

[leighks]

awesome! what breed of rooster do you have? I was thinking about getting one, so i dont have to stay outside every minute with my girls...although i do love watching them..its just that sometimes i have to cook dinner while trying to keep a watchful eye on them..we have 3 acres of woods around our house and i worry about fox or someother predator getting my girls..

Here he is... he was supposed to be a black sex link hen lol... turns out he’s a mixed breed rooster, not quite sure what he is. The hatchery thought a Rhode Island Red and Barred rock mix. Not totally sure but he’s handsome and sweet!

 

[Farmgal101]

I just want to watch them, give treats, and have them as pets. I can remember being a little girl going to my grandmas run and picking grass for the chickens. I would dig worms to watch them run with them. The eggs are frosting on the cake to me. I just want the amusement of them. They won’t be free range out of a run because I live in a suburb. I will move their run when all the grass and stuff is gone.

Then it is really up to you i guess,I like having a rooster in my flock.If you are getting chickens for amusement you wont be disappointed,I have to say i feel roosters do add to amusement along with hens.Snakes and other critters sometimes try to get to chickens even when there not free ranged,but yes there much more protected from predators not being free ranged.