I Want A Rooster.

[sarastamand]

My friend has 3 roosters he does not want. I want one! I do not know if I have any broody ladies, they just started laying yesterday!!!!! Or one of them anyway It's a white egg, I only have one white egg layer and I knew she'd be my first girl. She is supposed to be a California White, but everybody keeps telling me she is straight up a leghorn. She is does have a few black feathers mixed in her, so I'm positive she is not straight up leghorn. Anyway, I'm hoping to "naturally" raise some baby chicks. I'd rather not raise them inside any longer if I can help it, plus I'd love for mom to naturally introduce them to the flock then having to acclimate everybody.

The real reason for this post: How do I mingle a rooster should I decide to adopt one? He is an Americana (the fake kind) and I have 2 of the same. I don't know if any are friendly or anything about them. We are going to visit them on Monday to decide if we want one. I don't want one if they are aggressive. I don't care if they aren't really friendly, but I don't want aggressive which will be the only reason I don't come home with one.

Actually... another question When I go pick up some of my ladies they will squat and flare out their wings slightly and freeze in position. What does this mean? A friend told me they think I am the rooster. Is that what it means?

 

[sourland]

When your hens squat and flare their wings they are inviting the rooster to mate them. Good luck in picking a non aggressive rooster.

 

[JennyHeidewald]

I think the EEs are more laid back, so you should be ok with any of those that catch your fancy. Ask your friend if you can swap if the one you get isn't nice. My mom has an easter egger (Americana)/ golden hamburg mix rooster who is not human aggressive. The aggressive ones we've had are bantam cochins, and a seabright.
Two ways of introducing, either put him in there straight away, and watch to make sure things are going ok, or have him in the pen inside another cage ( or alongside), something where they can see each other but not get at each other. It's actually recommended to quarantine a new bird for 30 days before introduction to make sure they aren't carrying something.
I think roos and hens figure things out pretty quickly. Today I let some of my pullets out and two of the roos, the one bantam cochin pullet was chasing the seabright boy!

I agree with you on letting the hen do the work raising them! I have one broody now, and I am going to see if I can't get some chicks I'd wanted but wasn't able to get. I don't want more chicks in the house, they are cute but after you get them all out it is nice to have them stay out til next year!

 

[Shadrach]

My friend has 3 roosters he does not want. I want one! I do not know if I have any broody ladies, they just started laying yesterday!!!!! Or one of them anyway It's a white egg, I only have one white egg layer and I knew she'd be my first girl. She is supposed to be a California White, but everybody keeps telling me she is straight up a leghorn. She is does have a few black feathers mixed in her, so I'm positive she is not straight up leghorn. Anyway, I'm hoping to "naturally" raise some baby chicks. I'd rather not raise them inside any longer if I can help it, plus I'd love for mom to naturally introduce them to the flock then having to acclimate everybody.

The real reason for this post: How do I mingle a rooster should I decide to adopt one? He is an Americana (the fake kind) and I have 2 of the same. I don't know if any are friendly or anything about them. We are going to visit them on Monday to decide if we want one. I don't want one if they are aggressive. I don't care if they aren't really friendly, but I don't want aggressive which will be the only reason I don't come home with one.

Actually... another question When I go pick up some of my ladies they will squat and flare out their wings slightly and freeze in position. What does this mean? A friend told me they think I am the rooster. Is that what it means?

All roosters are aggressive. It's who they direct their aggression at and why that makes or breaks the relationship between you and a rooster.
They are possibly not the ideal creatures to acquire on a 'I want' basis. A lot of people who acquire male chickens, often from hatching chicks (50% of which are likely to be male) find as chicks and young cockerels they are lovely creatures. Once they grow up they can't wait to get rid of them.

 

[sarastamand]

That's why I'm doing my homework; 'I want' does not constitute a reason. I want to know if this if something I am willing to take on prior to doing so. I've heard some breeds are better than others as well and if roo's are hatched I would keep them also. If they became aggressive, I have a few local chicken friends who'd be more than willing to take them in or a feed store that will take them in and sell them. Thank you for bringing up that side of the factor if I choose to bring one home because I had not fully thought that part through.

 

[21hens-incharge]

As to having a hen hatch and raise ...... Well that depends on whether your hens ever go broody. It sounds like you have very young birds. They may or may not ever go broody.

Just because a chicken lays an egg doesn't mean she will ever try to hatch them.
Something to be aware of.

 

[Shadrach]

That's why I'm doing my homework; 'I want' does not constitute a reason. I want to know if this if something I am willing to take on prior to doing so. I've heard some breeds are better than others as well and if roo's are hatched I would keep them also. If they became aggressive, I have a few local chicken friends who'd be more than willing to take them in or a feed store that will take them in and sell them. Thank you for bringing up that side of the factor if I choose to bring one home because I had not fully thought that part through.

This article may help you come to a decision.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

 

[aart]

My friend has 3 roosters he does not want. I want one!

How old are the 'roosters'?
This is important to know for how to integrate.

Why do you want one?
Don't let someone else's 'need' (needing to get rid of males) become your desire.
At least you have a way to get rid of him if it doesn't work out.
Do you have plenty of space to keep him separate if there's trouble?
They can be great or a total PITB.

 

[Mrs. K]

Truthfully adding a rooster is one of the easiest adds of a single bird. There may be a bit of scuffling at first, but mine have mostly been in love by morning. If you get your druthers - get a rooster that is close to a year old.

A rooster coming out of a multi- generational flock is often a good rooster to get.

Having a rooster will change the dynamics of your flock, whereas now they look to you, squat for you, when you add the rooster, they will look to him. He will generally position himself between you and the girls.

Mrs K

 

[feathermaid]

Yes, do keep in mind that not all hens will go broody and want to raise chicks, even in their lifetime. Much of that broodiness has been bred right out of chickens these days to keep them productive and laying without interruption. With a rooster, you'll have fertile eggs, so maybe an incubator would be another option for hatching. And you want to make sure that you have enough girls so they won't become overmated or abused by an overzealous roo.

If you feel like reading a bit more, these articles may offer some insight:
Selecting Good Flock Roosters
Keeping A Rooster

It's really not that hard to integrate chicks on your own, if you just make a few preparations, chicks can be mixed with the flock by 4-5 weeks old. I've done this successfully twice so far with the help of some great advice here:
Integrating at 4 weeks old
Start Raising Your Chicks Outdoors
You Certainly Can Brood Chicks Outdoors
Coop Brooder and Integration

If you do get a rooster, or add new chicks, you'll want to switch the feed to some type of Flock Raiser, Grower or All Flock to meet the needs of all ages and genders. Layer feed is not healthy for males or young non-laying birds, just be sure to offer a separate container of oyster shells for the layers.