Good mixed flock rooster?

[Then I Will]

Most Hatcheries will throw in a 16th chick-- or so- whatever their minimum is. McMurray calls it a "Special Chick" and Meyer calls it a Meal Maker.
Regardless, they're almost always spare roosters. You could try for a Surprise chick.

If you decide to buy a mature rooster later, I would look for one who is what folks call a "Broody Rooster." They're the sort that sit in the nesting boxes and sing to the hens and help raise the chicks. So far, the two EE roosters I've had have been Great like this!

 

[BoyTheRooster]

We've got a blue orpington rooster who is a gentle boy, he looks after his girls, makes sure they eat and gets between them and our dogs (not that our dogs are a real threat to our chooks)
His sons, all mixes, were a bit hit and miss personality wise. Some were lovely like their father, others were pretty awful to the hens and him

I do thinking getting a rooster from a mixed age flock would be better for your hens as a first rooster (raise your own later) as he is more likely to be better behaved and know how to look after his girls

 

[dogkahuna]

I'm starting all over with chickens this year. We lost our entire flock to multiple predator attacks last year between stray dogs and raccoons. I'm planning on ordering a variety of chickens from Valley Farms Hatchery this year. I've never done mail order chicks, but the place has excellent reviews, and they are much cheaper than other larger hatcheries.
Anyway, so far my order consists of 2 each of barred rocks, buff orpingtons, silver & gold laced wyandottes, welsummers, easter eggers, and cuckoo marans, all hens. I need one more bird to meet the minimum order of 15 chicks, and I want a rooster. My question is what are people's favorite roosters? This is simply a barnyard mix flock but egg laying is my #1 priority. I love rosters that are very showy, but it must be a breed that is docile. I contemplated another Easter egger just so that there is a possibility of passing on the interesting egg color genes to potential offspring, but those dark brahmas really caught my eye, but I don't know much about them. Bottom line is that I love colorful/interesting looking chickens, and unique colored eggs. My hope is that my orps will grow up to be broody and I'll be able to continue hatching my own little barnyard mix chicks.

I started my first chicken flock getting 2 of several different breeds. I wish I would have ordered only one of each breed for a bigger gene-pool for future generations.

 

[AmazingRachel]

Buff Orpingtons are great.

However, if you want a showy roo with a great temperament, I'd go with Brahmas. They are regarded as gentle giants.
Light, Buff, and Dark are offered at the hatchery you mentioned along with pictures of the roos (the Buff Brahma is very beautiful in my opinion). However, only the light brahma is sold sexed from that hatchery (still a very pretty bird). Also, since Brahma's have pea combs, you can worry a lot less about frostbite.

Just don't get a RIR or Barred Rock roo. Both, especially the RIR, are prone to being aggressive. (from personal experience).

 

[KDMdesigns]

LOL I did that this last go round based on prior experience buying straight run. The farmer's co-op advertised chicks as pullets, but I got about 50% more than I wanted figuring that I'd get some roos that I'd get rid of. Turns out they were all pullets, so I got overrun with chickens. Apparently Welsummers can be sexed at birth.

I have heard that too!! although have yet to experience them to know the difference!

 

[chickenmeadow]

I also lost my whole flock to a predator, all in one night; we got smart & put up 3 strands of hot wire & it's been about 3 years since starting over, with no problems anymore. This time I chose a dozen chicks to start with: 6 Americanas (our best hotter weather layers) & 6 Black Australorps (our best colder weather layers), am adding 3 Speckled Sussex next week to see how they fit in & to update the flock with some younger ones for continuous laying as they all age.

My wonderful rooster "Buckbeak" is an Americana & was chosen for his comb which is a pea comb (close to the head & less likely to have frostbite, don't want to see that happen again with a straight comb type). Buckbeak is so brave & never slacks off in his duty to alert the hens of a bird of prey swooping over. He's the best ever & docile, once I picked him up for 5 minutes to show him who his alpha was

! Best wishes with your choice, there are so many beautiful ones to choose from.

 

[LowLady]

Ooh at my house those tail feathers would not last a day. Instead I have a nice big "barnyard medley" roo. I got him from a friend who lives in the city. She got 7 chicks and 3 were roosters and so she gave one to me. I have no good pictures of him right now, (unless you want to see his eye, right up close to the camera) although he is quite a flashy roo, right now my buff Orpington chewed his tail feathers off in the night. He is a barred rock, easter egger, welsummer and "big fat meat chicken" (as the girl who hatched him called it) cross we think.

He sounds interesting ! I think if I ever get another after this I’d like to try a barred rock roo as my barred rock hens are my absolute favorite in my flock

 

[GreenEggsAndHens]

Thanks for all the input. I went ahead and just ordered females and will see what happens.