do I really need a rooster?

[Dobela]

We have ordered 25 chicks thru 4H that are promised to be all female. Now 2 'old timers' have told our son that for them to really be good egg layers and for them to lay more eggs, he also needs to have at least one rooster in the bunch. I had not planned on a rooster due to the noise mostly, and because I am not ready to hatch chickens on my own. Yep, I am a newbie, and with no rooster I can guarantee no fertilized eggs. Now thogh my son is begging for a rooster or 2 as well. How much difference will having roosters make?

 

[Illia]

None at all. Remember, commercial egg farms don't use roosters at all.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

No!

 

[bethandjoeync]

no you don't need a rooster. they are mostly for protection and the obvious. but if you ordered chicks, their is a chance that you will get a roo. I ordered 25 chicks last spring and got 1 roo(thru a hatchery tho)

 

[chickenX]

you do not "need" a rooster.

HOWEVER,
roosters are usually most in need of homes as many folks can't keep them due to zoning restrictions. so giving a homeless roo a home is a lovely thing to do. you will be reserved a special place in chicken heaven for doing so.

ALSO
roosters tend to be packed full of personality. many are HILARIOUS and will provide you with hours of yucks and companionship.
they also tend to be excellent protectors - they keep an eye out for hawks and other predators and they warn their "girls" quite vociferously when danger is present. in fact numerous roos have given their lives protecting their hens. i myself lost a roo one night to a predator that got into the coop and although i didn't see it happen i'm pretty sure that he put himself between the threat and his girls and thereby lost his own life.

roosters are brave and noble creatures.

you don't certainly don't need one.
but you might find your chicken experience much enriched by a rooster buddy.

 

[Judy]

I am also in the camp of wanting a rooster in the flock. Personally, I love the sound of a rooster crowing. It's an endless debate on here whether hens prefer to have a rooster around. Certainly they hate being overmated, I've had them hide from a roo who mated too roughly, but one to 25 hens or so should be quite easy on them. They are definitely an advantage if you will let the flock run loose at all. I have lost at least two because they were protecting their girls. And they are gorgeous. And they break up bad squabbles among hens, if you get a good one.

You will probably find there is at least one roo in there; sexing chicks just isn't fully accurate. Maybe a wait-and-see is in order.

It's true that too many roos will slow egg production, for sure, I've seen it, but I suspect that a lone one in a big enough flock will relax them and may even increase production.

 

[hudsonhousechicks]

Personally I enjoy having a rooster with my girls. If you received 25 chicks that are promised to be all female, I 'd hold off on getting a rooster. It's not easy telling the boys from the girls when they are young and you might very well already have a rooster but not know it yet!

 

[gritsar]

Quote:

Love my roosters! Wouldn't have a free range flock without them.

 

[7L Farm]

I said I would never get a roo but now that I have one I really enjoy watching him with the flock. He crows all day long so if you have neighbors you might not want one. I now have another flock of 30 so I'll probably put two roos with them. I feel like the hens are better off having a roo watching out for them while free ranging. Theres no guarantee but I feel better knowing the roo is with them.

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Quote:
I love and agree with this post!

I adore my eleven roosters (yes, eleven) and I wouldn't trade them for the world.