Hello! New here and have a question.

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rnd6394

rnd6394

Hatching
5 Years
Apr 23, 2014
9
0
9
Michigan


Hello,
We are happy to finally be chicken owners. Picked up 8 brown hens and 9 cream hens 5 days ago. They are 3.5 weeks old now. My question is do we need a rooster, and if so, when should we get one, how many should we get, and when do we introduce him to our hens? Also, do you think we have ISA Browns and Buff Rocks?
BYC has educated us much over the last 5 days so we are grateful for your input!
Blessings,
 
Hi, and welcome to BYC!
Not sure about the breeds, you might try taking closer individual pictures.
You only need a rooster if you want chicks, if your only interest is eggs than you don't need a roo.

Roosters can be helpful to your flock as they are sometimes referred to as "watchdogs", keeping an eye out for hawks and other predators and then sounding an alarm when they see one.

They are usually more colorful than hens, making them an attractive addition to your flock.

He will also fight off some predators and search around the yard for food to give to his "ladies" and again making a noise called a "food call" which brings the hens running to eat what he has found.
 
Having a roo also depends on your neighbors. If you have close neighbors, they may not appreciate an early morning wake-up call! We have a flock of 10 hens with no rooster because our neighbors would not appreciate the extra noise. I do agree they are helpful in managing the flock though!
 
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A Rooster is only needed if you are going to be hatching egg's
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Welcome to BYC!!

What a cute pic! You only need a rooster if you want to hatch chicks. If you only are in this for eggs and chicken pets, don't bother with a roo. They can be aggressive and go after you or the kids. Welcome to our flock!
 

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