Do I need a rooster?

[Szack]

Hi do I need a rooster for better egg production. I have two that are very aggressive towards my ducks and am looking to put them in the pot as they are of age. Should I keep one or is there no need for them?

 

[Buckeye Amy]

No, you don't need a rooster unless you want to breed. Feel free to cook away!

 

[Szack]

No, you don't need a rooster unless you want to breed. Feel free to cook away!

Excellent

 

[neo71665]

Aggressive boys get cooked here, they are 100% disposable. That said I do like to have a roo as they do somewhat add a bit more protection to the flock. He will fight for his girls giving them a chance to escape, he will also sound off giving me a chance to get out there with a shotgun to dispatch whatever is after them.

Depending on the size of your flock and the size of the area they are in having 2 might be the main source of the issue. They don't like to share and will get moody. If you want little ones you can get rid of the worst boy and see if the other one calms down a bit. If that doesn't work maybe by then you have a little one in the works. A lot of times older hens will keep a younger rooster in check making him less mean.

 

[Szack]

Aggressive boys get cooked here, they are 100% disposable. That said I do like to have a roo as they do somewhat add a bit more protection to the flock. He will fight for his girls giving them a chance to escape, he will also sound off giving me a chance to get out there with a shotgun to dispatch whatever is after them.

Depending on the size of your flock and the size of the area they are in having 2 might be the main source of the issue. They don't like to share and will get moody. If you want little ones you can get rid of the worst boy and see if the other one calms down a bit. If that doesn't work maybe by then you have a little one in the works. A lot of times older hens will keep a younger rooster in check making him less mean.

Yes I think we are going to give the “mean” one the axe so to speak as he pulls feathers out of every living thing and has now started chancing the kids, which I find amusing I have to say.

Our plan is to separate the chicken from the ducks today and give them their own space. The chicken take over, as there are more of them, and consume far too much food leaving the ducks to the scraps. The food management here has gone out the window at the moment. I think we are going to mix our chicken flock up a little and add some different breads to the mix and give 6 of our leghorns to my friend. Hopefully this will all help the morning squabbles