Getting rid of a rooster-how might it impact the flock?

[Sammy1122]

Depending on the birds, it could really bad, or good.I cannot possibly imagine what could go wrong.Maybe a little lack in laying, somebody may take head quaterers over, but honestly, they’ll probably be happier and better off.
I recently got rid of rooster because he was too aggressive with My young Cochin cockerel and replace d him with a male who so far is more laid back, and my hens haven’t lacked in laying (those who were not slackers to begin with),however they do squat for me now with the old rooster being gone.

 

[Chicalina]

If roosters crowed as an alarm signal then that would be illogical because it just draws attention to the flock. They crow for the hell of it, and to establish their presence and dominance in the flock.

My rooster has a very specific cluck and stance when he he alerting the hens to danger. It is very subtle soundwise. He stands very tall, freezes and scans the sky. The hens all stop what they are doing and freeze. They relax when he gives the all clear. He never crows to sound a predator alarm.

I think perhaps you are misunderstanding his actions. If he crows a lot it is probably nothing to do with protection from predators or sounding alarms. He may well be very good at that, you just don't notice his warning behaviour because it is much more subtle. He is probably just a loud crowy rooster. If you cull him, then do it for the right reasons.

 

[Beaglegal]

Sounds like you have a better flock protecting roo already (which is awesome!) Were the roosters raised together from brood? I think the worst thing that could happen is just them fighting or not getting along if they weren't raised together. In that case, cull. Also I think it's pretty cool that your flock looks up to your ducks to sound the real alarm my flock has had some very serious close calls with hawks before but they've always seemed to instinctively know when to run underneath trees, drop down low or make dash for the coop house for cover to escape every time.

We have had a few close calls with eagles, both times the ducks sounded the alarm and I was able to come out and chase off the eagle. Luckily in the fall here, the eagles feast on salmon so the eagle threat drops off. Hawks usually are only a problem when we have broody mamas raising chicks.

I might be spoiled by my great BCM rooster, but I’m raising up one of his offspring so hopefully he lives up to his dad. The constant screaming from my other rooster is wearing down my nerves. He’s pretty but that’s about it

 

[Beaglegal]

If roosters crowed as an alarm signal then that would be illogical because it just draws attention to the flock. They crow for the hell of it, and to establish their presence and dominance in the flock.

My rooster has a very specific cluck and stance when he he alerting the hens to danger. It is very subtle soundwise. He stands very tall, freezes and scans the sky. The hens all stop what they are doing and freeze. They relax when he gives the all clear. He never crows to sound a predator alarm.

I think perhaps you are misunderstanding his actions. If he crows a lot it is probably nothing to do with protection from predators or sounding alarms. He may well be very good at that, you just don't notice his warning behaviour because it is much more subtle. He is probably just a loud crowy rooster. If you cull him, then do it for the right reasons.

He’s not crowing. He started making the screaming noises when eagle activity picked up in the spring. It used to only coincide with an eagle sighting. Then he started doing more and more. The girls stopped listening to him because he was doing all the time. Now when I come out it’s usually because there is a low flying airplane or crow. However my other rooster can tell who is a threat and who isn’t as well as the ducks.

 

[Chicalina]

Oh I see. I thought you meant crowing not screaming. He seems quite highly strung!

 

[Beaglegal]

Oh I see. I thought you meant crowing not screaming. He seems quite highly strung!

Oh you have no idea

 

[Beaglegal]

Depending on the birds, it could really bad, or good.I cannot possibly imagine what could go wrong.Maybe a little lack in laying, somebody may take head quaterers over, but honestly, they’ll probably be happier and better off.
I recently got rid of rooster because he was too aggressive with My young Cochin cockerel and replace d him with a male who so far is more laid back, and my hens haven’t lacked in laying (those who were not slackers to begin with),however they do squat for me now with the old rooster being gone.

My hens don’t seem too attached to him. I never really see them wanting to be around him the same way as the hens in my other flock treat their rooster. I was just worried that disappearing him may freak them out. I have never had a rooster-less flock before

 

[589205]

My hens don’t seem too attached to him. I never really see them wanting to be around him the same way as the hens in my other flock treat their rooster. I was just worried that disappearing him may freak them out. I have never had a rooster-less flock before

I know what you mean there and they will definitely be alright without him if you wanted to go ahead with culling or seperating him. Last year I raised 8 pullets, 4 RIR's and 4 White Leghorns who did just fine without any roos around. Your dominant hens will usually take over the job.