Is adding a Roster a good idea?

[snyder11]

What are the benefits and drawbacks of having a rooster? Should I get one for my flock of 4?

 

[bobbi-j]

Why do you have chickens? Do you want to breed them? If not, a rooster is not a necessity. Some will say a rooster is needed to "protect the flock, sound the alarm and find food for them". While a rooster does do all these things, they do manage to find cover without one, and they will also find food on their own. It depends entirely on what your purpose for your flock is.

 

[snyder11]

My flock is for egg laying. I was wondering more for the protection value I live in the Black Hills and we have lots of Coyote, Fox, Raccoon, and Bobcats. Also my dog and cat. With a well built fence and secure coop will I be ok? or should i get a roo?

 

[cafarmgirl]

Unless you have other reason's for wanting a roo I'd go with the very well built coop/run. A rooster may be a good warning system, if he's a good rooster. And, if he's a good rooster, he may also get himself killed in the process of trying to give his hens time to escape from a serious predator. A rooster is no match for any of the predators you mentioned except for maybe the cat. Or a dog that's only curious.

My first flock was roosterless and I do prefer it that way. They were free range and they had no problem knowing when to take to the bushes. They didn't need a man to tell them what to do!

I have a roo now, by accident, and dealing with him can be a pain in the backside. So, I personally wouldn't get one if protection was my only reason for doing so.

 

[snyder11]

Thanks I think I will stick with what I got unless like you I get one by accident!

 

[Birde]

I my roosters. The 2 in my hen house keep the hens happy. They especially love my Polish too. He is an old fellow & gentle with them. The younger 1 is there only because the 2 boys get along so well. I have 20 roosters. :/ Sold the bad 1s (the 1s we didn't eat)

 

[Fancy Farmer]

Not unless you want to listen to a Rooster from 3am-6am non-stop. We have tried with Roosters once Summer comes around, can't sleep with windows open. Egg count is no different with or without the guys. We have huge problems with fisher cats, foxes, and coyotes so my hens are in huge outdoor pens with chicken wire over them.

 

[Mattemma]

They can only do so much to protect.We got a nice roo,but he crows all day.Plus he likes sex.Your 4 hens would be way over sexed.

 

[Nicole01]

A lot of roosters are very aggressive. My neighbors roo attacks them.

If you decide on a boy, you should add 3-4 more hens to your flock.

I think I have a light brahma boy in my new bunch. I have 10 hens. It took everything to convince hubby to keep him if he's a boy. Hubby gave me conditions. No continuing crowing or any signs of aggressiveness. In the future, we will breed for new laying chicks or use him to breed meat with our other brahma. We don't know if we have the heart to cull yet for meat, but it would save us money, since I free range.

 

[Joe.G]

I like having the a rooster, I like to hear him ( mine doesn't do it all day ) and I also like to look at him since he is a very good looking bird, He also seems to call the Hens if they go to far from him. Mine isn't nasty.