So, at the Crossroads show while trying to find just two pullets to add to our flock my husband talked me into a rooster. We don't know how long this will last as the neighbors are pretty close, but we figured we'd give it a try and see how it goes. He crowed for the first time since we brought him home this morning, and if it doesn't get much louder than that I think we'll be ok. He thinks a rooster will help protect our girls from the neighborhood hawk (who the new chickens pointed out to me the other day after not havins seen him all summer) and he is interested in hatching chicks next year. My two biggest concerns are the noise, and aggression towards our two year old son. I already know there's not much I can do about noise except hope that he's a quiet roo (and build a rooster box in the garage and hope he doesn't crow before we let him out in the mornings). But any tips on heading off aggression, or what to expect in that department, would be much appreciated. I would worry about it less except our son loves to pick up the chickens and carry them around...the girls are not so fond of this, although they are all really good sports once he finally does manage to catch them.
Edited to add a pic. of Basil, our Ameraucana cockerel:
Edited to add a pic. of Basil, our Ameraucana cockerel:
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