Does keeping a roo make for a happier flock?

[thegreypony]

We've been rooster-less from the get-go (several years now) until this past fall when it became obvious that one of the teensies was all boy. We have a beautiful, well behaved, but not particularly bright Brown Leghorn cockerel (about 9-10 mos. old). Sam is sometimes bullied by the SLW hens but he watches over his harem, offers them treats, sends them into the coop if he perceives danger, and this past week stepped up between two of the Seramas that were having a spat (bravery! - lol)

I do think my girls are happier having him around. They are much more settled and actually seem to be laying at a higher rate...something I chalk up to less stress/worry/anxiety as opposed to anything about fertility. Unless he develops some nasty disposition, he's here to stay. We live in a neighborhood area in a rural community so we have neighbors within a stone's throw. While I'm sure Sam's morning announcements aren't always welcome on non-work days by everyone, 99% of folks tell us they love hearing him...one woman stopped her car the other while I was tilling and called me over to tell me that every time she hears him crow it's just a blessing to her and takes her back to her childhood!

Hope you end up with a good roo story to share!

 

[weimlikeschicks]

That's really cool! I live in a similar neighborhood (it sounds like) and I can here a couple roosters crowing in the morning. I've always loved the sound and I am hoping we will have one of our own soon.

 

[jstagrl8110]

We are def. in a suburban area, where roosters aren't exactly welcome by everyone (so our free eggs musy help the cause : )...... However, when our flock was new, we were repeatedly attacked by racoons and foxes. Since our flock has matured and our roosters have grown their spurs and mastered their crows, we have not yet been attacked by racoon or fox. I feel that our one rooster flock is more protected by him than us. The roosters crow, they gather the girls, and effectively herd the whole flock back to the coop, every deer that walks past, every evening.....and even on alram of a school bus once in awhile. I have also been told that roosters help increase egg production. As to date, I cannot deny this claim. : )

 

[clucknpeck]

Thank you for your input everyone! I think I am sold on a rooster!
Does anyone know if there are signs of chicks being roosters? I have one bantam we call buddy because we have had to put chicks in a separate brooder and we always put it in with the ostracized chick because it gets along with all the chicks. Anyway, it is one of the straight run and it's always scratching at the ground or scratching the feed out of the feeder and the others don't do that.

Thegreypony- one of our straight run is a brown leghorn and we are kind of hoping it's a rooster. They are such beautiful roosters! How did you know yours was a roo?