I want a rooster. Questions.

[Killer Tomato]

Topic of the Week - Roosters, Yes or No?
Topic of the Week - Adding a Rooster to the Flock

Thanks for posting these! I'm *still* trying to decide on adding a rooster. I read through all 14 pages on the posts, but just don't know what to do yet.

 

[Folly's place]

If you don't yet have a cockerel from this year's chicks, order some straight run chicks for next spring, and plan to keep a cockerel out of that group. He will get some politeness training from your year old hens, and you will have some experience with your flock.
I have both bantam and standard breeds, all together, and it's worked out fine here.
Some breeds and family lines tend to produce a larger % of human aggressive males, and some are less likely to do that. BUT, each individual may turn out however he decides to be!
Which breed? Are you planning on chicks? More egg producing types, or more meat? Only planning to set bantam eggs, or only standards? Purebreds or mutts?
Right now I'm laughing, because over the years I've tried so many, and loved some, and disliked others, and it's often been a total surprise how it's worked out. Just try something, and see how it all works out.
Mary

 

[adstowe]

There is no reason why you can't breed "barnyard mix" chicks and sustain your flock that way. You don't need to breed an orpington to an orpington. If you are thinking of breeding them and selling the chicks, it may be fun, but don't expect it to be profitable. That aside, I wouldn't recommend getting a cockerel to raise with these. As was mentioned, you may find that one (or more) already is, but even without that consideration your best bet is to wait until next year and either pick up a few more day old chicks including a cockerel and integrate them into your flock or source a proven, mature Roo to add. Both approaches have their pros and cons, but I think they are better than raising a cockerel with chicks and no established flock. Not to say that can't work. I've done it.

 

[Killer Tomato]

I'm contemplating a 3 month old silkie/frizzle mix (Sizzle?). I just can't seem to make the call, even though I've been cyber stalking this rooster ad on Craigslist since September! I stare at "free rooster ads" for at least an hour a day, so I think I really want to do this.

I have 9 hens, ages 8 months old to 2 years. All full sized gals.

Little Dude will be living in our bathroom while he quarantines and gets fully feathered (minus 1, because *that* sucks). What if he's an a-hole? (plus 1, he's only 4 inches tall)(minus 1, he could peck me, in my bathroom!).

Our last rooster was not a pleasant experience. Do I have the strength to rock the chicken boat?

 

[Folly's place]

I'm paranoid about biosecurity, and NEVER bring in older birds from anywhere! I either raise my own chicks, or buy Marek's disease vaccinated chicks from good hatcheries. It's not worth the risk to my flock any other way. No quarantine can ID Marek's disease in a new bird, and it's just not worth it to me.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Silkies are fragile little guys, who don't handle either very cold or very hot conditions, can't fly well, or at all, and can't see overhead well either. Many people have their Silkies in a separate coop, not with their standard birds.
Mary

 

[Killer Tomato]

I got several chicks two weeks ago. I got 2 buff Orpingtons, 1 lavender Orpington, 1 buff Brahma, 1 barred rock, 1 mottled cochin bantam, and 1 porcelain d'uccle.

I didn't know what to get, so I just got several. I know I will want a rooster later for more chicks and protection from hawks. I have questions about that.

1.) Should I get a rooster chick now, or wait until the hens start laying?
2.) How do I make sure and just hatch the chicks that will be the same kind he is? Will I know who laid what egg?
3.) Wouldn't you want to get a rooster to match one of the hens and just hatch those eggs?
4.) Which kind of rooster should I get? I am leaning toward barred rock just because I want him friendly as possible. My other thought was a Brahma because they are big and might help to make sure predators stay away better. Plus, my Brahma chick is so far more distant than my barred rock chick. Maybe that changes too. I have no idea. When I was a kid we just got straight run chicks and didn't think about it this much.

I would say wait til next year. It sounds like you want your flock to be friendly, and I've noticed that my hens are able to interact with me much more when I don't have a rooster around. (mine was the jealous type)

You will probably have chicken math next spring anyway, and can always get more chicks (and possibly a rooster) then. From everything I've read on this site, it said to get used to raising hens first, before plunging into the rooster experience (if at all possible).

You picked some seriously fluffy breeds -- those will be a beautiful flock!

 

[adstowe]

I have no experience with silkies or any mix based on them. I'm sure your big girls will put him in his place and I hear they are supposed to be very sweet birds. If you are concerned about getting a "life sized" roo, then maybe this little dude is just what you need. Keep in mind silkie roos/cockerels have a limitless supply (at least around here). Everyone wants females and inevitably many wind up with unwanted males. If a silkie cockerel is what you want you shouldn't feel rushed. They are a dime a dozen. When you are ready there will be one (or a dozen) waiting.

 

[Killer Tomato]

I'm paranoid about biosecurity, and NEVER bring in older birds from anywhere! I either raise my own chicks, or buy Marek's disease vaccinated chicks from good hatcheries. It's not worth the risk to my flock any other way. No quarantine can ID Marek's disease in a new bird, and it's just not worth it to me.
Mary

I know. Another reason I haven't called.

 

[L1sa]

As well as raising my Plymouth Rock a few years ago, I currently have 2 x 6 week old Silkie Roosters. 1 of them is skittish and runs away from everyone and everything, the other one is absolutely without doubt the Alpha!! And already pecks at me, but still runs away from the older girls! Not sure whether I'll keep both or just one, I'm thinking I may try to rehome my Alpha, don't really want an aggressive roo.

But then chicken maths got the better of me!! and my broody is currently sitting on 6 more eggs, so I may be overrun with roosters soon!! I guess I'll pick the best/favourite and rehome the others!

Good luck with whatever you decide.