How important is a rooster?

[NonnasBabies]

Quote:
Have you checked your eggs for the bullseye when you crack them open??

Missi

 

[crazychicken89]

so all my eggs should be fertile?

 

[Happy Chooks]

Here's how to check and see if they are fertile.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16008

 

[crazychicken89]

thanks...

 

[jaimslee4u]

I have four hens.. no roo's and get 3-4 eggs a day, in a north eastern winter. I know I am luccky! As long as they are healthy & happy they don't need a roo. Sometimes I wonder if that works for humans too...

 

[chickenlady08]

Quote:
I would say no you don't need another rooster right now. I have been told and have read that 10 -12 hens per rooster. It will only make it so they are over worked and overmated. I wouldn't rock the boat if things are going well for you.

 

[sparky134]

Hey Spinning Cottage you had mentioned that you had an aggressive roo a while back can you explain your definition of aggressive? Was he aggressive to you or the hens?? I am trying to determine if I need to get rid of my roo and possiblely get a batam rooster for protection?? As I wrote ealier I have 10 hens to 1 roo and 5 hens have bared backs is that considered an aggressive rooster?? Thanks for your help..

 

[thespinningcottage]

Quote:
Hi Sparky134 - Our aggressive roo was fine toward us but chased our 11 year old daughter with evil intent. It didn't help that she was very active and noisy, and I really don't blame the rooster, I just couldn't take a chance with her safety. Somewhere on BYC I read "A good rooster makes a terrible pet." I'm sure there is a happy medium between a manageable bird and a good flock protector, and for sure you don't want human safety to be compromised. This particular rooster was very gentle with the hens. Our new rooster is better mannered toward people in general, but is.... ummm.... very active with the hens and has a couple favorites who will now have to wear saddles. I don't think that is particularly a bad thing, I mean, lots of people put saddles on their hens to reduce wear and tear on their feathers. He does NOT bite them and get aggressive with them in other ways, he just grips them really tightly. Probably a good rule of thumb would be to watch your rooster carefully and also watch the hens for signs of abuse. Get rid of a rooster that is abusive and dangerous. Like many before me have said, there's too many sweet roosters out there to stick yourself with a bad one. Good luck!

 

[sparky134]

Thanks for your input. I guess my roo just has a tight hold on the hens. I don't see him pecking at them just alot of chasing and then mounting. But my problem is I have 10 hens and 5 are completely barred backed from him and 3 of the other 5 are showing signs of feather damage. That's a totlal of 8 with signs af stress. He has spurred me a few times in the past but not lately. Just in the last couple of days I have noticed him running at me as if to attack. My concern is for the hens and how sore their poor backs are from him. I have found a home for him but am really concerned that I'm doing the right thing. Some one told me maybe I should try a more docile breed like a buff orphington or astrolop rooster not my RIR. So if I rehomed home and got some new chicks that would give my hens at least 4 months to heal up a bit...I have had this flock for 2 years, first flock also, so I have nothing to compare my situation too??? Is my RIR rooster a bit aggressive, or not?? That's what I'm trying to figure out......

 

[savingdogs]

We have a buff orpington roo, our first chicken flock so I'm no expert, but he is really nice, not aggressive at all. He was nicely raised but doesn't like to be picked up, but he is very good to his girls. Our roo has 17 girls but I see bullseyes whenever I check.

I had read RIR roosters can be aggressive so picked a BO roo on purpose. Our girls really really love him. They would miss having him if they didn't. He alerts them of dangers so they can run into the coop (like me shaking out rugs, that scares everyone into the coop). But he makes sure they are all in before running in himself. He makes sure they have good stuff to eat, too, before he will eat. He is rather forceful with his....intentions....but they seem to "ask for it" as my husband puts it. Since we wanted fertile eggs, he is doing his job well.