Do roosters need hens?

[neophyte17]

I guess I will go with the saying "if it aint broke, don't fix it". and you ignore all those that say I should get hens. heck they might live happier without the drama of females around. Lol

 

[neophyte17]

 

[centrarchid]

Its broke. You are driving a car down road with no airconditioner.

 

[neophyte17]

that ain't broke I just open up the windows, lol

 

[Ridgerunner]

I disagree. It is not broke. They are pets. They have been raised as pets for three years. They have adjusted to living life with each other and you. They are leading a good life.

Some people keep house dogs. Their natural instinct is to live in a pack with other males and females, yet they are quite happy living as house dogs with their family. If you put them in a different situation some of their natural instincts would kick in so they could change and still be happy. But as long as they don’t know any differently they will be happy as they are. It’s not that unusual for a dog to become vocal when the owner leaves them for the day. Your roosters are trying to assemble the missing member of the flock.

If you add hens their instincts will kick in and they will almost certainly fight to determine who has top mating rights. They might injure each other or one might even die, but there is a reasonable chance they would reach an accommodation, especially since it looks like they have a lot of room. But your city ordinances don’t allow that. I really don’t see that you have any real choice or a strong reason to change. You’ve accepted responsibility for them, just like when you adopt a dog as a pet.

 

[centrarchid]

I disagree. It is not broke. They are pets. They have been raised as pets for three years. They have adjusted to living life with each other and you. They are leading a good life.

Some people keep house dogs. Their natural instinct is to live in a pack with other males and females, yet they are quite happy living as house dogs with their family. If you put them in a different situation some of their natural instincts would kick in so they could change and still be happy. But as long as they don’t know any differently they will be happy as they are. It’s not that unusual for a dog to become vocal when the owner leaves them for the day. Your roosters are trying to assemble the missing member of the flock.

If you add hens their instincts will kick in and they will almost certainly fight to determine who has top mating rights. They might injure each other or one might even die, but there is a reasonable chance they would reach an accommodation, especially since it looks like they have a lot of room. But your city ordinances don’t allow that. I really don’t see that you have any real choice or a strong reason to change. You’ve accepted responsibility for them, just like when you adopt a dog as a pet.

At some point we have to get past ignoring the fact our charges / pets are also living things. This is very odd with someone of my background involving games having this position relative to pet keepers.

 

[neophyte17]

I'm not understanding what you mean. specially since I don't know your background. yes it is true having to roosters as pets is not the norm. Someone rescued them when they were baby chicks from a store that sells certain animals for religious sacrifices. I did not know they were going to end up being roosters, the both of them. I never even have chickens before. but they are my responsibility now. now that they are fully mature I thought getting hens would make them crow less but it could make the more vocal and aggressive.

 

[neophyte17]

of course it would be much easier if I could just ask them they could tell me what they want. I just want their life to be as close to what nature intended it to be

 

[happyhens1972]

Don't get too hung up on the 'nature' thing....we domesticated animals, now we have to take responsibility. Nature intended for your cockerels to live in a jungle, to fight each other, sometimes to the death, over territory and females and to no doubt end up in the belly of one predator or another. I always find it slightly exasperating when people hark on about emulating nature.....we really don't want to do that or we'd all be free ranging to provide the local carnivores with their supper. It's one thing saying you want to provide a good life for them, quite another to provide a NATURAL life. Keep providing the good life you have clearly given them so far, eh?

Your boys look and sound to me like they are much loved and spoiled and do not need girls to worry about. The crowing is just their way of communicating and you're not likely to stop it and as mentioned, adding girls may make it worse. Just love 'em as they are x

 

[bobbi-j]

You don't have to ask them - they can tell you everything you want to know. Just watch their behavior. Are they active, eating well, staying in your yard? Or are they listless, no appetite, leaving the yard looking for female companionship? Your roosters follow you around the yard because they are used to you and know that you are the Keeper Of The Treats. They know that when you show up, they get goodies. They crow when you go in, hoping that you'll come back out and spoil them some more. They are pets, and seem to be doing just fine. Not every situation is the same for everyone. Breeders may have a hard time grasping the "Roosters (or chickens in general) as pets" thing, but if it's working for you, then don't worry about it. If they're happy and healthy, don't mess with the system. My husband is 59 years old, grew up raising various animals throughout his life and says that if you have two males together without females they get along just fine. The breeding instincts don't seem to kick in until you throw a female into the mix and they realize they should be doing something. You've had them for 3 years. Why change now? It doesn't seem to matter anyway since you can't have more chickens where you live. As far as letting them "live as close to what nature intended", it's too late now. They should each have a harem, living where they can free range all the time, maybe on a farm or something. You're doing a good job with them. Keep it up!