Do I really need to keep a rooster in the flock

[mjsparky]

It's time to kill off all the un-wanted roosters in the flock as they are starting to fight each other. Do I need to keep one rooster, I don't think I'll be trying to hatch out eggs at this point. I've just got the hens for eggs.

 

[HEChicken]

No, the hens will be fine without a rooster.

 

[TipsyDog]

What HEChicken said.

from PA!

 

[emvickrey]

You only need a rooster for fertile eggs. They will lay no matter if there is a rooster or not.

 

[chicks4kids]

True that you don't need a rooster, however, you may end up getting an alpha female if you don't. Before I got my rooster, my mama hen took over the roost so to speak, only she was kind of a bully. Once I got my rooster, that stopped.

 

[Kim_NC]

I kept layers for many years without a roo. I only started keeping roos when I got interested in breeding and hatching.

 

[fordmommy]

Your girls may enjoy not having a roo around.

 

[speckledhen]

As stated, no need to keep a rooster if you'd rather not have one. I personally enjoy my boys, but if you get rid of all yours, then later on, if you change your mind, you can certainly get another one. There is no rooster shortage around BYC!

 

[gritsar]

I personally wouldn't have a flock without a rooster; he's the best part - besides the free eggs.
I'm just a rooster freak.

 

[Stephanie-n-Hayden]

Quote:
I agree. It's happened to me. My small flock was ruled by my one-and-only bantam roo and all was fine. Then he "disappeared" (chicken hawk). The flock hasn't been the same since. My flock is all bantams except for one RIR. She has taken over as the HBIC (head Bit$$ in charge) and is pretty cruel to some of the other. We have actually had to separate the flock of 6 into two separate ones so that she won't be able to pick n the others so much. I plan on putting one of my baby roos (hatched out this fall) with her in the spring. That'll show her!!!!!