Hens without Roos?

[matthewschickens]

Hello!

I have a California White Roo (now don't get me wrong! Cali White hens ROCK!!! But the roos don't

) that has started acting up a little so I would like to get rid of him. I have a replacment and I can't wait for him to grow up But I read that if you take a roo away from the hens the hens will start doing some strange things. Is this true? Would it be ok if I go ahead and get rid of the roo and will the hens be fine until the other roo grows up or no?

Thanks!!

Matthew

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Hens do behave strangely when not in the presence of a rooster.

.....Alan (they're often happier)

 

[NeeleysAVLChicks]

Haha, I'll tell you what my girls did when there was no longer a roo....CELEBRATE!

They'll be fine and if they were getting really worked over, you'll probably see more eggs.

 

[matthewschickens]

So y'all are saying that the hens will be ok until the other grows up if I get rid of him now?

 

[Roy]

Yes, your hens will be fine (and happy)

 

[Dixiedoodle]

Got rid of my mean roo--My girls took two days and threw a party!!! Egg production is up, their feathers are finally coming back in (many were completely bald behind their comb), they are calmer, are coming up to us and seems to enjoy being around us.. NO squawking, squealing, screaming every 2min. because the roo is harrassing them... Just calm, happy noises.. Your girls will love you for the break... Or mine have..

 

[Iheartmyhens]

I have only hens, and they are fine. The dominant one makes a pretty poor attempt to crow sometimes & that's it...

 

[dumb_cluck]

Kinda replacing a bad thing with another.... roos are mating machines. You may decide to get rid of number 2 son as well.

 

[KKatknap]

They will do quite fine without him, but in all fairness I feel I need to point out that a GOOD roo is worth his weight in gold. Too many of these posts make it sound like they are awful creatures, but if you have had a good one you would hate to go back to no roos.

A GOOD roo will find the best treats for his girls, keep the squabbling down when you integrate, and coo at the new girls when they are learning to lay. Not to mention give his life for them if required. If your roo is mean to his girls, get rid of him and find another. A good roo is worth saving!

ETA - Thought I should mention - if you only have 3 or 4 hens to one roo, you probably will see them get a little "overworked". A ratio of twice that many hens is much better.

 

[dumb_cluck]

OK, I stand corrected. I didn't mean that ALL roos are "bad". I may have given that impression. Sorry........