do i need a rooster???

[gritsar]

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OT - Impy is his usual butthead-ed self today, which means he's good.

You may not like NNs, but I can promise you that you'd like the eggs from the NN girls. They are huge, right from the start. My one NN Ivy lays eggs that are so large, the large egg carton won't close over them and she's only 11 months old.

 

[gryeyes]

You might be surprised how many hens do NOT set on eggs, actually. A lot of people believe all hens hatch chicks, but it ain't so. In any case, just gather eggs daily as you normally do, until you have a "for sure" broody hen. You might get one or you might not, or you could have several that go broody.

So, just because you get a rooster doesn't mean you will automatically increase your flock numbers through hatching chicks!

For me, the rooster provides much more valuable service, keeping peace in the flock, protecting and warning of predators, and just general interaction with his hens.

 

[gritsar]

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I so agree. The first time you see your roo protect your girls from a danger you'll be amazed and so glad you have one.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

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I so agree. The first time you see your roo protect your girls from a danger you'll be amazed and so glad you have one.

Or see your Roo share treats with his girls. Check and warm nest boxes. And if you do hatch chicks, watch him protect them and even warm them.

 

[NHchicks]

I think a rooster makes the hens feel more secure. And he definitely keeps them in line. They can be a bunch of meanies without a referee. ("Mean Girls")

But it has to be a nice rooster, to your family and to the hens. I've had 2 roosters, and they've both been charmers.

 

[Betsy57]

I have a wonderful Rhode Island Red rooster, Red. He is quite large and takes care of his gals (6 of them, coon got the other one

He is very protective of his gals and calls them to the food. If I give them a special treat (cottage cheese, raw hamburger) he clucks for the gals to come and they come a running but he will not eat it, he allows the gals to have the special treat. But he is playing havoc on the gals' backs. I had to put one in the basement shower for about 3 weeks to mend from a nasty lasceration on her side from his claws. The other girls are starting to show some feather loss too but no injuries like Farah had. Separating has been very traumatic for the girls and Red and me. He has lost weight and the girls are fighting, especially in the coop at night, and they never did that before. They also don't want to get in the coop at night. Red used to always get them in and they'd follow and immediately roost and rest for the night. I am so torn on what to do. I have been separating him during the day in another sectioned off part of the yard so they are just separated by a fence, but he is pacing like crazy wanting his harem. I've tried filing his nails, clipping his nails, I just got a hen saver apron so will try that. Guess having him declawed, like a cat, wouldn't be an option?

 

[gritsar]

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No, but the hen saddles/aprons should help quite a bit.

 

[HorseFeatherz NV]

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No, but the hen saddles/aprons should help quite a bit.

Yes the hen saddles are a hen and a roo's best friend.


How old is Red? - sometimes age will "calm" a roo and he will be less damaging to the girls.

 

[Betsy57]

Quote:
No, but the hen saddles/aprons should help quite a bit.

Yes the hen saddles are a hen and a roo's best friend.


How old is Red? - sometimes age will "calm" a roo and he will be less damaging to the girls.

Red is just a year old, the girls are 8 months, Red's first girlfriend was the same age as he, Goldie was killed by a coon who got into the coop. Think I finally have it good and secure now. Plus a trap and so far have captured 5 coons and 1 skunk.

 

[Naughty]

i had a lil banty that was a great roo with the girls - but wasnt good with humans so he had to go. i have a nicer roo now - but i dont think he has figured out that he is alpha now... and the girls actually act like they may miss my other lil guy - hoping they get over it

roos are siooooooo pretty though - and its a major ego boost if you have one who is a good roo with people- makes ya feel good that you have one of the good ones