Do my free ranging hens need a rooster

[cincyfarmgirl]

He's protective of the hens against you humans? Hmm, I don't like the sound of that. What do you mean exactly? Does he attack you if you get too near the hens? This is definitely NOT in his job description! Especially if he runs away from real dangers. This is not a good rooster. But he might make a lovely soup!

My rooster is not protective against humans. He’s quite compatible with us humans. Although I’ve heard that some roosters are not. I haven’t always had a rooster it was given to me and I said OK why not. you don’t need a rooster to get good eggs and you might not need a rooster to protect them. Not all roosters are the same. The downside to having a rooster is that they tear up the hens feathers upon mounting. I have removed his spurs but they grow back. (not that he wants to be cuddled. I had to throw a large towel or blanket over him and then he settles down.) Before I had a rooster my hens looked prettier because when he mounts feathers tear off. But he’s a big Brahma and I have a variety of different hens some of whom are small. Fortunately he doesn’t bother some of them but he seems to like my Americauna Easter Egger hen and she’s a little girl. He’s getting a little older and of late has been hogging the food. Which by the way I’m not so sure high protein layer feed is appropriate for roosters and have heard that it can cause urinary track issues. I don’t know. Maybe that’s why you’re supposed to buy “all flock“ feed to accommodate him. If he were to disappear I would not replace him.

 

[Shadrach]

The probability is your cockerel hasn't really had the opportunity to show what roosters can do for your hens. It's not just about taking on, or warning of threats, nor is it just about making the hens eggs fertile.
If this is your first attempt at keeping chickens then I would at least wait until the cockerel becomes a rooster and you've spent some time observing the group before you make a decision.
I wouldn't keep a free range group without a rooster for more reasons than I have time to try and explain here.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

The probability is your cockerel hasn't really had the opportunity to show what roosters can do for your hens. It's not just about taking on, or warning of threats, nor is it just about making the hens eggs fertile.
If this is your first attempt at keeping chickens then I would at least wait until the cockerel becomes a rooster and you've spent some time observing the group before you make a decision.
I wouldn't keep a free range group without a rooster for more reasons than I have time to try and explain here.

I agree. On the rare occasions I have been without a rooster, my flock wanders all over the place. A rooster keeps them in a more cohesive unit. The hens like to stay close to him, or at least keep him in eyeshot. When I have a rooster, it's much easier to keep an eye on my flock. They just seem happier and calmer with a rooster.

 

[JuliaSunshine]

He's protective of the hens against you humans? Hmm, I don't like the sound of that. What do you mean exactly? Does he attack you if you get too near the hens? This is definitely NOT in his job description! Especially if he runs away from real dangers. This is not a good rooster. But he might make a lovely soup!

I meant that he looks alarmed and stares us when we're around the hens. He once kicked me when I was walking close to them. I admitted that I was being too casual and got more careful and he didn't do that again.
The chickens including the rooster seem to feel safe around us as they follow us around forging or preening themselves but yet the rooster still seem to think that we might attach a hen someday. When I try to pet my elusive hens the rooster watches me with a little warning sound but he doesn't attack me.

 

[JuliaSunshine]

The probability is your cockerel hasn't really had the opportunity to show what roosters can do for your hens. It's not just about taking on, or warning of threats, nor is it just about making the hens eggs fertile.
If this is your first attempt at keeping chickens then I would at least wait until the cockerel becomes a rooster and you've spent some time observing the group before you make a decision.
I wouldn't keep a free range group without a rooster for more reasons than I have time to try and explain here.

Yes. The group seems a bit more harmonious now except one chicken. She was sick and recovered but everybody chases her away.
I like how my rooster stands guard when other hens are foraging. At least he's a good watcher. I'm not sure if he'll fight against anything but it's good enough for now.

 

[JuliaSunshine]

I agree. On the rare occasions I have been without a rooster, my flock wanders all over the place. A rooster keeps them in a more cohesive unit. The hens like to stay close to him, or at least keep him in eyeshot. When I have a rooster, it's much easier to keep an eye on my flock. They just seem happier and calmer with a rooster.

That's good to hear. I thought so too when I was watching my hens following the rooster around.

 

[McChooky]

In my setting roosters make is easier to find flock that is some distance away when likely in a place I can't see directly from the house. The rooster is often the one I hear alerting me to predator issue. I can fight predator or be a very effective deterrent.

The only predator my roosters consistently help with are hawks targeting younger chickens and sometimes hens. Those predators are much less of an issue than larger mammalian predators and those that come calling at night. Rooster does not help much with those.

This is why I'm adding 2 roosters to my flock of over 20 hens. My cockerels are only 12 weeks old but already sounding alerts and crowing when something startles them (which alerts me something could be wrong! ) Better safe than sorry! His alerts may be the only warning we get!