Do I need a rooster?

[mfontaine20]

I'm getting my first flock of chickens and looking to get between 8-12 hens do I need a rooster don't plan on hatching just want the eggs to eat.

 

[Keltara]

Nope! No rooster necessary. Only if you want to hatch the eggs they are going to lay for you. I have 6 hens and no rooster and we enjoy 5 eggs per day. Lovely, lovely delicious eggs!! Welcome to BYC and be sure to check out my Coop Management post. It's very helpful for beginners.

Kelly

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Our Country Chronicles

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[mfontaine20]

Awesome thank you.

 

[Mitchell Farm]

No, you don't need a rooster for eggs only. That being said, many keep a roo or two around since they do an excellent job of protecting their ladies from predators. I have 23 hens and have 3 roosters for this very reason. Additionally, I like to have a hen or two go broody and raise her chicks. Grandkids love the little things and I don't have to by new chickens to replenish my flock.

 

[mfontaine20]

How loud are the roosters in the AM?

 

[Presidential]

Loud. Morning, noon, and night. Our roos had no idea what time it was... So, it was dinner time! No more roos at our house - the neighbors cheered.

 

[roostersandhens]

You dont NEED a rooster at all. But if you want your hen to be a really protected flock then you may WANT a rooster. Roosters will crow all afternoon and morning. Each rooster has a different volume. My Americauna rooster is very loud. My Cochin x BR has a quiet crow. My freinds Silkie rooster also has a quiet crow. So it really just depends on the rooster. Each rooster starts crowing at a different time. My Cochin crows (he does not crow often) maybe 6:00 am - 8:00 pm. My Americauna rooster crows at 6:00 am - 6:00 pm. My Americauna crows a lot (over and over again). I like it when my roosters crow. Each rooster has a different volume and a different time that they crow. Idk if some breeds are just quiet or not.
Good Luck!