I need a rooster!

[I-Love-Pallets]

Could not agree more!!!!

They will protect, most likely they will die trying but usually they will try to protect.

I totally agree, my rooster, although in a predator proof run all the time, is always on alert and looking out for his hens.

Sounds like a good choice, Favorelles are gorgeous. I suggest this for integration: first at least 2 weeks of quarantinewith none of your birds, then 1-2 weeks of see don't touch with you pullets, then supervise him while introducing, do not tolerate aggressive behavior from him or your hens, if anyone is aggressive do short supervised visits until all is good, if everyone is good from the start then just let them be. Expect some pecks, that's normal when introducing new birds, the aggressive behavior I don't tolerate is cornering and pecking or chasing and pecking or repeated, hard pecking that could injure. You could break it up and not go back to see don't touch, if after breaking it up it keeps happening over and over then go back to see don't touch. I hope this all makes sense, if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Best of luck with your new boy and please update us and share pics!

Thanks, will do!

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Thanks, will do!

No problem

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

. They are handsome too! @AmeraucanaHank has Barnevelders....I am not spelling it right am I?

Well, that's a different breed. I have Bilelfelders

 

[Pampered chicken girl]

Well, that's a different breed. I have Bilelfelders

Oh then I meant those....sorry

 

[SourRoses]

The valuable protective behavior I've witnessed in competent, mature roosters is keeping the flock together when ranging larger areas.
It's not apparent in small areas, but when we let the birds out in the front half acre there is a big difference as to how they behave.

Without a rooster, hens do one of two things:
- Roam around searching for goodies without any seeming sense of where the others are. Sure, they come out as a flock, but sooner or later they don't act like one.
- Refuse to go out at all, especially if they are young, or if something has happened that's frightening. Some just hide under a bush all day, and the rest don't care.

A good roo rounds up any strays and keeps the flock together. He encourages the timid to come out and forage. He decides when it's time for bed and shoos the girls close to the coop well ahead of time.
I always thought of the effect on hen behavior as the method of protection a rooster provides, rather than fighting.
Some roosters grow up to be incompetent though. The reliance the girls have on their boy tells you what's what.

 

[3KillerBs]

A good roo rounds up any strays and keeps the flock together. He encourages the timid to come out and forage. He decides when it's time for bed and shoos the girls close to the coop well ahead of time.

I found it fascinating to see my 2 males working together to herd the flock into the coop at dusk.

 

[cluckcluckhens]

I will say be mighty careful. My Roo years ago trapped me in the coop behind the laying boards. All I could do is yell for my husband at the time. After that we started training the Roo's. As of now they don't bother us at all. Don't run in run that is what started them going after me. I started walking and they did not come after me. They did not like me running in and out to give them feed and water. One of them I could feel like he had his wings on my back. Do not turn your back on them. Do not pick something off the ground in the run either.

 

[I-Love-Pallets]

The valuable protective behavior I've witnessed in competent, mature roosters is keeping the flock together when ranging larger areas.
It's not apparent in small areas, but when we let the birds out in the front half acre there is a big difference as to how they behave.

Without a rooster, hens do one of two things:
- Roam around searching for goodies without any seeming sense of where the others are. Sure, they come out as a flock, but sooner or later they don't act like one.
- Refuse to go out at all, especially if they are young, or if something has happened that's frightening. Some just hide under a bush all day, and the rest don't care.

A good roo rounds up any strays and keeps the flock together. He encourages the timid to come out and forage. He decides when it's time for bed and shoos the girls close to the coop well ahead of time.
I always thought of the effect on hen behavior as the method of protection a rooster provides, rather than fighting.
Some roosters grow up to be incompetent though. The reliance the girls have on their boy tells you what's what.

That’s great input, and I’m currently seeing what you’re describing in my flock. They’re all together when I first let them out, but they very quickly disband. They do come together periodically to hide under trees and bushes, and sometimes will just stay there until I call them out. Hopefully the roo will help keep them corralled better.

 

[Folly's place]

Because chickens are prey animals, anyone running is a scary thing for them. Part of the reason small children are an issue; they run, scream. and flail around, all not good near poultry.
Can't imagine running around in the run! Walking is the way to act out there! And I'm aware of what our roosters are doing when I'm out there, but only have cockerels and roosters who haven't had bad thoughts towards me. It's a learning curve, seeing what they are thinking before there's an actual attack! And never keeping a bird who has bad thoughts.
Mary

 

[CaliFarmsAR]

Oh no, they will most definitely protect. Why do you think people have issues with roo's attacking them? They are trying to protect their flock!

Agree! I was gonna say nothing if no one else did. I had a bantam rooster who would protect my ducks and attack my mean Muscovy drake when he went after the hens