Give Me Five Good Reasons!

[Serrin]

I've been thinking of the pros and cons of Roosters...I can come up with plenty of reasons why NOT to have one.

1) They can be mean (though not always apparently?)
2) They insist on crowing not only at the first light, but some are known to do it all day long (neighbors, few as they are, might not appreciate that!
3) I could very quickly become over run with a bunch of mutt chickie's running around. Nothing wrong with that, but population control could become an issue and I'm not fond of the idea of culling.
4) I'm not keen on the idea of my girls being run ragged by an overzealous roo. I like my girls having the peaceful life they've come to know here.
5) With the population explosion that could occur, I'm concerned about having to find a new home for excess roos. Hens are easy to find homes for around here. Roos? Not so much so.

OK, that's five cons against getting a roo. I'm hoping those of you with roos can give me five good reasons why I SHOULD have one. And then, follow that up with your best recommendation for a breed.

If I can be convinced to acquire a roo, I'd like to know which breeds are known for sweetness, docility, being good daddy's and not all that vocal.

Right here I should probably list what my flock consists of in the interests of compatibility. We currently have 3 BR pullets, 2 BO hens, 4 GSL hens, 2 LB hens and one indeterminate mutt hen. I'd very much like to add three or four EE pullets this coming spring. As I said before, I have no problem with mutts. I don't have the slightest inclination towards showing, so pedigree is NOT an issue.

Here's your chance! Crow about your Roo!!

and convince me of why I SHOULD have one!

 

[chickensioux]

I'm interesed in knowing why having one is a good thing. I just found out one of my hens is a roo and I really want to keep it. So.....pros?

 

[ranchhand]

Well, five good reasons would be the five roosters I need to rehome!

They are very good at protecting the flock.
I enjoy the crowing, but I haven't heard from neighbors yet. And it's been 5 years.
They are entertaining with their antics and personalities.
Nice to look at.
They make baby chicks!

 

[LeBlackbird]

1. The're good guards, And will protect you hens.
2. I find my roos to have more personality then my hens.
3. They give you your own eggs to feed your hatchaholic syndrome.
4. They haqve a voice sweeter than songbirds!

5. A rooster is almost always more colorful than your hens.

I love my roos.

 

[wombat]

Most roos have very interesting personalities. That alone should be enough to keep one around, if noise and hen-chasing aren't too much of a problem.

 

[jjdward]

1. Very pretty
2. Protect the girls
3. I have found that my hens are calmer when I have a rooster
4. They are a hoot to watch
5. They make sure to share any bugs they find with the girls

 

[speckledhen]

They break up fights between the hens. I have seen this with Hawkeye and now Dutch. Love those peacemakers!

They spend about 80% of their time just watching the skies and all around them while the hens just eat and eat, LOL. Most would give their lives for the hens, too.

They are handsome and proud-looking, standing guard out there.

They can make the eggs fertile, but you don't have to have any chicks unless you want them.


They make sure the girls see every morsel of food on the ground and will eat very little themselves.

 

[Shannon's Chix]

I don't know about Serrin but I'm starting to be convinced...

 

[Uppity Peon]

It's fun having roosters. I have 3 and they each have certain redeeming qualities. None have gone aggressive against me or any other person. Don't ask my dogs.

Puff Daddy protects the flock from dogs (1), and shares his treats with the hens (2).

Georgie acts like a cop breaking up any fights (3).

Rusty is really pretty to look at (4) and I noticed him today showing a hen where and how to lay and egg (5)!!

I hope I can keep them all.

 

[Serrin]

Y'all are doing good on the pro's there...keep them coming...but let's not forget, I'm also interested in hearing which breed of roo would go well with my girls. Assuming that I did allow for some babies, what would cross good with my girls for babies that would make good egg layers themselves in the future?! Also assuming that, one way or another, I cull the roos.

Obviously, from what I've seen and read here, it's very possible to keep more than one roo to a flock at a time. For a flock of say anywhere from 12 to 24 hens (thinking future chickies here) what is the optimal number of roos?

Keep the comments coming kids! It's really helping me think this thing through from all angles