- May 14, 2013
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Do I need to have a rooster? What are the benefits (not having to buy chicks as often)? What are the negatives? I have 16 BR layers now. Any suggestions.
Do I Really Need One
- Thread starter polishserb
- Start date
Hi Polishserb,
I'm new to chickens, but from the books I've read and this forum, I believe you only need a rooster if you want baby chickens. But it also sounds like the rooster could provide some protection (be an alarm, etc.) and may help keep hens in line too.
They are noisier, and the city I live in doesn't allow them so no roosters for me!
I'm new to chickens, but from the books I've read and this forum, I believe you only need a rooster if you want baby chickens. But it also sounds like the rooster could provide some protection (be an alarm, etc.) and may help keep hens in line too.
They are noisier, and the city I live in doesn't allow them so no roosters for me!
Roosters provide some flock protection and fertile eggs. That's about all.
The potential negatives are the noise and the potential for a mean roo.
The potential negatives are the noise and the potential for a mean roo.
donrae
Rest in Peace -2017
If you're new to chickens, I say don't get a rooster. Your girls will lay just fine, and one hen will act as lookout if you let them range in your yard. I strongly advise at least a year experience with chickens before you go to a rooster. They require different handling and don't make good pets at all.
- Sep 27, 2012
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Yup, thats basically how it works. Roosters can be aggressive though, so keep that in mind.
Donrae and I agree on roosters. If you are just getting started with a couple of hens, get that working. If one goes broody, wait a couple of weeks and slip some chicks under her....
Roosters are more animal like, and less pet like. They often create bald spots on your hens, even if you have "enough" hens. They can protect hens in a wilder setting, but not in an in town backyard.... there the most common predator is the neighbors dog. I have not found them a protector until they are nearly a year old.
They make a lot of noise.... I kind of like the noise, but it is clear down by the barn, not a few feet away from my open window, or my neighbors window.
And when you have roos you have tough decisions to make.... if you hatch chicks, a lot of those chicks are going to be male, and most will need to be culled. Roosters can become aggressive and cause damage to your hens, to your children, spouse and neighbors. One has to be careful and responsible for a rooster. You cannot 'wish' him nice. Some are, and some are not. Those need to be culled. If you can't dispatch a rooster, or have someone, whom you are sure can do the deed, don't get a roo. Many times roosters have ruined the enjoyment of having chickens.
Right now, I have a roo, I won't by Sunday. He is just not nice enough to his hens, and he is getting too aggressive to me. I have had an excellent roo, a soso roo, and now this one. I live on a ranch in western SD. I will try again in the fall for a good roo..... but I am pretty sure there is going to be a big sigh of relief in the hen house when I get rid of this one.
Mrs K
Roosters are more animal like, and less pet like. They often create bald spots on your hens, even if you have "enough" hens. They can protect hens in a wilder setting, but not in an in town backyard.... there the most common predator is the neighbors dog. I have not found them a protector until they are nearly a year old.
They make a lot of noise.... I kind of like the noise, but it is clear down by the barn, not a few feet away from my open window, or my neighbors window.
And when you have roos you have tough decisions to make.... if you hatch chicks, a lot of those chicks are going to be male, and most will need to be culled. Roosters can become aggressive and cause damage to your hens, to your children, spouse and neighbors. One has to be careful and responsible for a rooster. You cannot 'wish' him nice. Some are, and some are not. Those need to be culled. If you can't dispatch a rooster, or have someone, whom you are sure can do the deed, don't get a roo. Many times roosters have ruined the enjoyment of having chickens.
Right now, I have a roo, I won't by Sunday. He is just not nice enough to his hens, and he is getting too aggressive to me. I have had an excellent roo, a soso roo, and now this one. I live on a ranch in western SD. I will try again in the fall for a good roo..... but I am pretty sure there is going to be a big sigh of relief in the hen house when I get rid of this one.
Mrs K
Roosters protect the flock when they free range and warn of predators as well as call the hens when a good food source is located.
Hatching out your own eggs either via a broody hen or using an incubator will give you fifty percent males so keep that in mind as male
chicks are difficult to find homes for.
Roosters can either be wonderful additions to the flock OR can turn out to be very aggressive toward humans. If young children are
involved having a rooster can be dangerous as they are unpredictable.
That said, I LOVE my Roosters as they are gorgeous, fun to watch, protect the flock and I cull any that become aggressive to humans.
Hatching out your own eggs either via a broody hen or using an incubator will give you fifty percent males so keep that in mind as male
chicks are difficult to find homes for.
Roosters can either be wonderful additions to the flock OR can turn out to be very aggressive toward humans. If young children are
involved having a rooster can be dangerous as they are unpredictable.
That said, I LOVE my Roosters as they are gorgeous, fun to watch, protect the flock and I cull any that become aggressive to humans.
I agree wholeheartedly with donrae and Mrs. K. They have the same philosophy on rooster management that I do: Roosters are not pets.
The advice that both of them have given you is spot-on.
One point that I don't think people think about enough when they want to hatch their own chicks is what to do with the males. That's really important to think about if you're getting a rooster to make new flock members. Do you have the heart to eat them, or give them away for others to eat? Don't fool yourself into thinking you'll get money for them or they'll all go to happy homes.
Another thing to think about when you hatch your own chicks is death. We hatch many chicks each year. Hatching in an incubator is a pain, and can be really, really sad when you have a bad hatch. The last hatch we had, we got the humidity too low and many fully-formed chicks died after pipping. It was heartbreaking for me, and I'm definitely NOT a "chickens are pets" kind of person. I can't imagine how sad it is if these are the offspring of your beloved pets. Broody hens are cute and do a great job, but getting a broody hen is chancy even if you buy hens specifically from breeds known to be broody. For example, I've never had a broody Orpington and the dark Cornish I buy specifically to be broody hens only go broody about 66% of the time.
Give it a year. Next spring, if you really still want a rooster, then go for it. But you'll never sleep with your windows open again!
The advice that both of them have given you is spot-on.
One point that I don't think people think about enough when they want to hatch their own chicks is what to do with the males. That's really important to think about if you're getting a rooster to make new flock members. Do you have the heart to eat them, or give them away for others to eat? Don't fool yourself into thinking you'll get money for them or they'll all go to happy homes.
Another thing to think about when you hatch your own chicks is death. We hatch many chicks each year. Hatching in an incubator is a pain, and can be really, really sad when you have a bad hatch. The last hatch we had, we got the humidity too low and many fully-formed chicks died after pipping. It was heartbreaking for me, and I'm definitely NOT a "chickens are pets" kind of person. I can't imagine how sad it is if these are the offspring of your beloved pets. Broody hens are cute and do a great job, but getting a broody hen is chancy even if you buy hens specifically from breeds known to be broody. For example, I've never had a broody Orpington and the dark Cornish I buy specifically to be broody hens only go broody about 66% of the time.
Give it a year. Next spring, if you really still want a rooster, then go for it. But you'll never sleep with your windows open again!
totally off post - but at WalkingOnSunshine - I have never had a buff orpington not go broody! And I think this years BO was on the nest just before dark, so I have my fingers crossed! I have chicks ordered to come in in about two weeks! fingers crossed.
Mrs K
Mrs K
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