Have a male...what would you do?

[DozenChipper]

So, we just got what we were told were 12 pullets, 6 of which were black sex links. One had a white spot on its head and after researching I discovered that meant male. I wasn't that interested in a rooster because I have neighbors I don't want to bother, I have read that there isn't much point trying to breed these, and I didn't want to end up with a mean rooster, for our children or the hens. But I don't necessarily think it would be bad to have some protection if it is a good one because I would like them to free range some of the time.

So, we were offered 2 pullets for the inconvenience... they said they ended up with straight run accidentally and still have some pullets available from the same batch (purchased 2 days ago). A few friends said our coop could easily hold 10 or up to 15 chickens. I already have 11, plus the male.

Oh also this chick is very sweet. I'd say currently it is around middle of the pecking order. Would that mean nice rooster, or possible coward? Since we're raising it from a few days old, would that mean he would be nicer for our children (potentially I know no guarantees)??

What would you do??

 

[nuthatched]

It's up to you. If you want to keep him, ignore him completely or shoo him away when you are in the coop. He's not being sweet.

 

[DozenChipper]

So, we just got what we were told were 12 pullets, 6 of which were black sex links. One had a white spot on its head and after researching I discovered that meant male. I wasn't that interested in a rooster because I have neighbors I don't want to bother, I have read that there isn't much point trying to breed these, and I didn't want to end up with a mean rooster, for our children or the hens. But I don't necessarily think it would be bad to have some protection if it is a good one because I would like them to free range some of the time.

So, we were offered 2 pullets for the inconvenience... they said they ended up with straight run accidentally and still have some pullets available from the same batch (purchased 2 days ago). A few friends said our coop could easily hold 10 or up to 15 chickens. I already have 11, plus the male.

Oh also this chick is very sweet. I'd say currently it is around middle of the pecking order. Would that mean nice rooster, or possible coward? Since we're raising it from a few days old, would that mean he would be nicer for our children (potentially I know no guarantees)??

What would you do??

Oh and also wonder if adding new chicks to the clutch would cause problems... if we do choose to get 1 or 2 more, does it matter the spunk or other characteristics of the new ones for a better transition?

 

[nuthatched]

The only real reason to have a male is for fertile eggs, if you don't need that, your girls don't need him. How big is your coop?

 

[DozenChipper]

Oh and also wonder if adding new chicks to the clutch would cause problems... if we do choose to get 1 or 2 more, does it matter the spunk or other characteristics of the new ones

The only real reason to have a male is for fertile eggs, if you don't need that, your girls don't need him. How big is your coop?

sorry I had to go measure. So it is 11.5x4 feet enclosed and covered long run area plus a 4x4 area (that can be enclosed with bad weather) off the ground not including 3 laying boxes.

 

[DozenChipper]

sorry I had to go measure. So it is 11.5x4 feet enclosed and covered long run area plus a 4x4 area (that can be enclosed with bad weather) off the ground not including 3 laying boxes.

How many chickens would that support?

 

[nuthatched]

sorry I had to go measure. So it is 11.5x4 feet enclosed and covered long run area plus a 4x4 area (that can be enclosed with bad weather) off the ground not including 3 laying boxes.

No worries. At the rule of 4sq feet per bird you have room for 11 birds, you can do 3 Sq feet per bird for 15 bird and everything be ok but I wouldnt go over that . also, 1 Sq foot of ventilation per bird, 14" of roost bar and 1 box for every 3 hens. Not that the hens seem to care, I have 4 boxes, 11 hens and they all lay in 2 of them.
New chicks won't upset the status quo too much but you need to make sure they're safe from the big ones or they might kill them.

 

[Chicken poppy]

The only real reason to have a male is for fertile eggs, if you don't need that, your girls don't need him. How big is your coop?

Yes, or protection, but not guaranteed. Some of mine are complete cowards and sacrifice hens, others are alarm systems, some are fighters for predators.

 

[rosemarythyme]

sorry I had to go measure. So it is 11.5x4 feet enclosed and covered long run area plus a 4x4 area (that can be enclosed with bad weather) off the ground not including 3 laying boxes.

Wait, the coop is 11.5 x 4, or the coop is the 4x4 area? How big is the actual run, or are you free ranging?

Is this a prefab (sounds suspiciously like one) or something you built? Any photos?

 

[Chicken poppy]

Raising a rooster from a young age can help with anger but it really all levels down to one thing; Individual rooster.

Breeds do play a HUGE part, but heres a example.

One of my roosters was a complete brat, he chased everyone, always bit, was so mean and crowed 24/7
My other rooster is super timid, sweet, really only crows for danger, a wonderful alarm system for predators and a sweet boy who is never mean to humans, just quite mating prone.

I would also like to add something, it really matters how you treat them. For the first rooster he only acted like that, really because i allowed him to. I was polite to him, when he bit me i did nothing. I didn’t stop him whatsoever, not from mating my arm either which is a sign of dominance.
My second one, however, though always sweet, when he began biting, i shut him down, and then he never started again.

So heres what you need to do, summarized: Being polite is not always the answer, be kind, not hostile, but do not back down. If he begins getting aggressive, learn from my mistakes and shut him down. If he bites, give him a tap on the head and don‘t back up, lower his head like he would be submitting. If he mates your arm, shove him off, tell him no!