Do I NEED a roo?

[hennylover]

Could have a possible boy in the bunch but this isn’t rare.Hens (Chickens in general) sometimes do jump one another to show dominance could we see the ones doing the jumping?

The bumper is a do red,not quite a year old,the bumper is an americana

 

[hennylover]

I meant humper/humpee.

 

[2 many chickens]

My roos weren't suppose to be roos.. but we accepted them to our flock anyway. They are a little obnoxious and overwhelm the hens sometimes. They also charge at me sometimes, a light smack with a thin stick to the tail feathers stop that. I'm constantly watched like I'm some kind of threat. They crow a lot.. like all day. Back and forth.. one sounds like he has a mega phone in his throat and it's ear splitting. They DO watch for hawks and protect the hens.

 

[Riche Bronson]

No, I’ve never had that issue besides when they were older chicks. My girls are all pretty docile- and the occasional peck at the food dish is the most aggression/dominant behavior I’ve experienced. Maybe a little facing off and chest puffing/wing flapping here and there- when the newest. chicks got up big enough to be competition- when they were trying to become part of the big girl flock. Is it one hen in particular who’s doing the jumping on?

Re-read and see you said it’s a RIR doing the jumping. Maybe try to lock her away from the flock for a couple of days. Sometimes that changes pecking order- if it is indeed a dominance thing she’s trying to accomplish. ? Sometimes adding another chicken does too. I have a very docile EE who everyone kinda picked on- She was definitely on the lowest rung of the social ladder. Added 3 more in the fall of last year, and now she’s doing just fine. She had 3 younger ones to show her dominance over and it helped build her self esteem I guess haha. They all kind of have their own little buddies that they pair off with- and one group of 3 (the youngest ones still hang together). Sometimes just mixing things up a bit solves problems. (Sometimes creates them too- but we’re trying to be positive here haha!)

 

[2 many chickens]

Hi,I have a problem with my all girl flock...some of my girls are humping each other like a rooster!! Do I have a bunch of lesbihens? Any reply helps,thank you!

One of my older hens does this, she even does the rooster dance. She is a hen, lays eggs and all. She is top in the flock next to the roos. Maybe it's a dominate thing.

 

[PouleNoire]

If you do get a rooster, I recommend a cochin bantam roo. We have had standards in the past and while we have loved them very much, we have had problem at some point with each of them, but the cochins I have, have been dreams. I know it's different for everyone, but this is my experiences.

 

[Roosters110]

Owner of the thread,if you get a rooster get something that’s gonna benefit the flock.A Cochin bantam is small and although their cute and fluffy and great watch outs,they likely aren’t gonna be able to really defend the hens.An they can get bullied easily by more intimidating dominate hens.
I have a New Hampshire red rooster and a Cochin rooster.Big guy does the fighting while other guy keeps perfect watch out.The work as team.If raised right and are good roosters I would get a big rooster and small rooster.Always good to have the extra back up.It two big rooster depending on what’s your reasoning for getting one

 

[Roosters110]

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

 

[CPT]

I highly recommend a roo if your chickens are going to free range. If not, keep your hens in a run, as you said you're in a suburb. I would do a covered run, though, as a hawk or falcon could come out of nowhere! Our rooster is good little guy....he is a bit aggressive during the day and likes to peck at me....but he's just doing his job, protecting his territory and hens. I pick him in the coop at night when he's relaxed and give him a good scratch on his head and tell him he's doing a good job.

 

[Folly's place]

Cockbirds who spend time stalking and attacking the giants (humans!) who bring food every day are idiots, and they aren't looking out for their flock during that time. I want a smarter bird who spends his time watching for predators, not me, and who's taking care of his flock.
Mary