Just how useful is a rooster anyway?

[333113]

Roosters get such a bad rap! If they're not "protecting" the flock like we assume they'll instinctively do, they're lazing about and/or/both having their way with the girls...or they're overly aggressive (which we as humans are responsible for, breeding and encouraging that behavior ie. cock fighting which is not the norm for similar wild birds except during breeding season so I've read).

I have a big RIR mix roo that I adore. He does chase after critters and invading neighbor roos, Always alerts to danger, he not only brings attention to goodies, he actually picks up and delivers bugs, worms etc. to the girls, and stands guard like the Buckingham Palace guards.

And he's gorgeous, just a beautiful animal! It's a long story, but I didn't come by this guy on purpose...it was sort of a divine intervention as he was a stray who showed up in our yard very sick. We took him in, nursed him back to health then later acquired a hen (Bob and Omelet respectively). The neighbor hens come around which is fine...Bob still does his job. I seriously love this rooster and it makes me sad that they are such berated unwanted creatures.

Maybe my Bob is an exception, but I would never have a flock without a rooster.

On a final note, I would run from a large predator too!

Just sayin'...

And I am just saying, too, that if roosters were truly and completely effective against our predators, there would be lots of feral chickens around. I understand there are feral chickens in the Keys, but I don't see any around here in Missouri!

 

[333113]

In my opinion, a rooster is a negative unless you want to hatch chicks. He'll eat more feed, rough up the hens, and unless you find a good one, can take a go at flogging you.

I know people like the idea of roosters alerting and protecting hens. Personally, on my farm, I feel that is MY job, not a chicken's. I keep them secure from attack, so I have no need for a rooster to die trying.

In my experience, "roughing up the hens" is a young rooster's take on the world. I know a lot of people will never keep a roo long enough to find out that he will mellow with age.

 

[ariri30]

I have the most adorable little Dutch cockerel with two Araucanas pullet and one Black Copper Marans pullet and a tiny Dutch pullet that is the boss of everyone. The poor little guys are always trying to impress the girls by calling them to give them food. Real or fake lol. They just ignore them. But they sure are making every single effort to get their attention. They look like two little gentlemen tending to the chickens. I love to watch them. So much personality in such little things. I love my roosters

 

[Mosey2003]

In my experience, "roughing up the hens" is a young rooster's take on the world. I know a lot of people will never keep a roo long enough to find out that he will mellow with age.

That is true, absolutely. Mine are always happier without, regardless.

 

[strictlychicken270]

I added a rooster to my flock about a week ago. Reason B was to fertilized eggs, I have read stories of a rooster protecting the flock plus keeping peace between the hens but other than that they're kind of useless other than fertilizing eggs and listening to them Crow all day long but personally I enjoy it..

 

[Redhead Rae]

I added a rooster to my flock about a week ago. Reason B was to fertilized eggs, I have read stories of a rooster protecting the flock plus keeping peace between the hens but other than that they're kind of useless other than fertilizing eggs and listening to them Crow all day long but personally I enjoy it..

View attachment 1710602

What is he? A red Maran? He's very pretty.

 

[strictlychicken270]

What is he? A red Maran? He's very pretty.

Not sure he is mixed,hen was full size not sure of breed and rooster was a bany not sure of breed. My neighbor gave him to me
He enjoyed coming to my house everyday checking on my hens so we added him to the flock to let him bread.. Just know he was a good looking rooster that's around the same size as my hens

 

[ariri30]

What is he? A red Maran? He's very pretty.

Cutie

 

[IPAfanatic]

We've had our roo, Cheep, for just over a year now. My wife thought it would be fun to hatch chicks ourselves. Of the 7 eggs that hatched, 5 ended up as roosters.....Guess who's job it was to cull the flock when we had 4 roosters all crowing at the same time? Cheep survived the culling because we thought he was a hen because he didn't grow any waddle or tail feathers or crow until we got rid of the other roosters. Sneaky little cock.

Anyways, we're looking to get rid of him because roosters are prohibited in our city and our new neighbors down the street who fancy themselves regulation experts threatened to tattle on us to the city.

My question, is there any social trauma to the flock by getting rid of the only rooster after a year growing up with the flock? Are there any serious drawbacks to not having any roosters? He's kind of useless on the protection front as I've watched him watch rats eat chicken feed right next to him and he doesn't make any noise when hawks are flying around. Thoughts?

 

[Molpet]

We've had our roo, Cheep, for just over a year now. My wife thought it would be fun to hatch chicks ourselves. Of the 7 eggs that hatched, 5 ended up as roosters.....Guess who's job it was to cull the flock when we had 4 roosters all crowing at the same time? Cheep survived the culling because we thought he was a hen because he didn't grow any waddle or tail feathers or crow until we got rid of the other roosters. Sneaky little cock.

Anyways, we're looking to get rid of him because roosters are prohibited in our city and our new neighbors down the street who fancy themselves regulation experts threatened to tattle on us to the city.

My question, is there any social trauma to the flock by getting rid of the only rooster after a year growing up with the flock? Are there any serious drawbacks to not having any roosters? He's kind of useless on the protection front as I've watched him watch rats eat chicken feed right next to him and he doesn't make any noise when hawks are flying around. Thoughts?

the hens will redo the pecking order sometimes, but after a while they settle down