Do I want a rooster?

[mollymadethis]

I think one of my six chicks is a rooster,and everyone is giving me advice. We have been calling her large Magre causeshe is huge and now I see signs of rooster-dom!
What difference does it make with the eggs? Are you best to keep it or do I want just layers? This is my first time, getting lots of experts!

 

[gritsar]

There is no difference nutrition or taste-wise in fertilized eggs vs. non-fertilized eggs. Collect your eggs regulary and without looking close and knowing what you're looking for, you'll never know the difference.
Some of the reasons I love my roo:
He keeps the girls more or less rounded up.
He finds good places to forage and feeds the girls first.
He's the peacekeeper and breaks up fights when the girls are feeling testy.
He defends the girls against predators to the best of his ability.

The list goes on and on.

 

[mediazeal]

If you can keep one where you live I think there are many benefits to having a rooster. It depends on the rooster of course. You want one that will be good to the hens and not try to abuse you.
I do wish I could have one to help take care of the hens, especially when free ranging!!!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Keep it if you can. Just keep handling him a lot so he'll like you and won't mind you coming near HIS girls.

After reading here at BYC's how great they can be, I was hoping I would ended up with at least one roo out of my ten pullets.

I have ended up with both of the EE's are roos. The one that started crowing with a horrible squack at 6 wks old is very sweet, always coming up to find out what treats I may have for everyone to letting me pick him up and pet him to the other who has always been my henny penny chick that never liked being picked up. So far, at 13 wks old he hasn't crowed and no problems with the two roos getting along.

Yesterday morning one of the BR's got out of the run when I was bringing in fresh water. I went out to get her and while I was pushing her in the door so the other's wouldn't get out, the nice roo came up and grabs the BR by the check and pulled her in.

I guess he was teaching her not to go out anymore. It was very funny to watch her run off shaking her head.

P.S. I live on 4 rural acres, so roos are ok. Which is a good thing because I no longer need an alarm clock. My little roo starts crowing just after 5 am for about 15-20 min then stops until I go out to let them out and I'll yell "where's my little rooster' while I'm heading to the coop and he'll start up again. Gotta love those guys.

 

[GardenGirl]

I love my roo! He is a sweet guy who dances around me when I come out in the yard. He is a good protector and finds tastey bits for the girls. He keeps the pecking order in line and has a great personality. He has an awkward little crow that sounds like he has a constant sore throat, but it is not as loud as my neighbor's roo, so I guess it is alright.

I wouldn't trade him for the world. I love to hear a rooster crow in the morning and listen to him talk to the girls all day. If you can have one, do it, especially if you can handle it young so he will respect you.

 

[LovinMyHensInNC!]

I was adamant that I only wanted and needed hens. Recently when I was picking up some new guineas I saw this rooster that was just so cool. I ended up taking him home with me and I LOVE him.... I wish I had gotten one sooner and I feel like I have been missing out! His best attributes are keeping the girls under control and keeping them flocked together since they all free range.

 

[blueheaven]

you all are wanting me to get a roo. my girls are almost 5 weeks and i think i could have a possible roo...we will see (although i ordered all pullets)

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I have a totally different philosophy on roosters. A rooster that "dances around you" is trying to get you in line. He'll dance around the hens for the same reason. It means he thinks he's your superior. I don't tolerate it from my rooster. The first time he danced around me he'd be picking pieces of his rearend up all across the yard.
Also, of the two roosters I had I handled one all the time as a baby. He grew up without fear of me and started to challenge me as he matured. I broke him of it, but still. My current rooster is excellent with both chickens and people. He was never handled as a baby and has a slight fear of humans. I prefer him that way.

 

[Southernbelle]

Quote:
I have a totally different philosophy on roosters. A rooster that "dances around you" is trying to get you in line. He'll dance around the hens for the same reason. It means he thinks he's your superior. I don't tolerate it from my rooster. The first time he danced around me he'd be picking pieces of his rearend up all across the yard.
Also, of the two roosters I had I handled one all the time as a baby. He grew up without fear of me and started to challenge me as he matured. I broke him of it, but still. My current rooster is excellent with both chickens and people. He was never handled as a baby and has a slight fear of humans. I prefer him that way.

I agree. I don't handle my roos as babies. I want them to be a little afraid of me so they don't challenge me as adults.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Quote: I agree. I don't handle my roos as babies. I want them to be a little afraid of me so they don't challenge me as adults. End quote

That's interesting and I thank you for sharing that. My feed store has told those that ended up with roo EE's that were sold as pullets that they can bring them back and they have a farmer who's taking them. I didn't know I had roos until that first attempt at crowing at 6 wks and then another 2-3 wks before I discovered the other EE was a roo as well. I handled all the chicks a lot, except for the not so nice roo who always ran from my hand where all the other chicks were flying out of the brooder to my arms, lap or back.

I was considering taking my EE that's not so friendly and has always been affraid of me to them.

I am now reconsidering that. At just 13 wks, I'll hold off and wait and see how the two get along.

What are some of the things that may happen between the two roos as they all mature? Will they just split the 8 hens or share or what?

Currently, when they roost at night, the two roos will be next to each other and then some of the hens will step over each other to be next to the roos.