Lack of a Rooster after Hens Have Been with a Rooser?

[DeBerryJacket]

Good Morning

I tried searching this but didn't really find a good answer so I come to the experts. My wording on the subject line may be bad but I am asking that if hens have had a rooster in the flock for a period of time, does it negatively affect them if the rooster is no longer with the flock?

This is my first time with chickens. I wanted hens only. I ended up with a Rhode Island Red rooster. My chickens are all approximately 22 weeks old. They have been laying for about a week or so now. I need to know if I get rid of the rooster will it negatively affect the hens since they have had a rooster with them for the entire time I have had them as chicks? I only want eggs, I am not interested in hatching any chicks. I let them out to free range during the day. Some of the hens kind of branch off on there own already and don't really stay close to the rooster now. But the rooster is protective of the hens and does his job. He allows them to eat first or calls them over when he finds something. The problem is, he is aggressive toward people and small animals. I know he is just doing his job but my daughter and wife have had enough. He attacked my daughters puppy on a couple of occasions and the last attack was the deal breaker for my wife. He doesn't have spurs yet so he hasn't really hurt anything yet. I can handle it and don't mind it because I feel like he is doing his job. But now that my wife wants to get rid of him,, I am worried about how my hens will handle being without the rooster.

Sorry for the long post but wanted to include all the information I could think of and thought was relevant.

Thanks for your opinions.

 

[ashlierami]

Good Morning

I tried searching this but didn't really find a good answer so I come to the experts. My wording on the subject line may be bad but I am asking that if hens have had a rooster in the flock for a period of time, does it negatively affect them if the rooster is no longer with the flock?

This is my first time with chickens. I wanted hens only. I ended up with a Rhode Island Red rooster. My chickens are all approximately 22 weeks old. They have been laying for about a week or so now. I need to know if I get rid of the rooster will it negatively affect the hens since they have had a rooster with them for the entire time I have had them as chicks? I only want eggs, I am not interested in hatching any chicks. I let them out to free range during the day. Some of the hens kind of branch off on there own already and don't really stay close to the rooster now. But the rooster is protective of the hens and does his job. He allows them to eat first or calls them over when he finds something. The problem is, he is aggressive toward people and small animals. I know he is just doing his job but my daughter and wife have had enough. He attacked my daughters puppy on a couple of occasions and the last attack was the deal breaker for my wife. He doesn't have spurs yet so he hasn't really hurt anything yet. I can handle it and don't mind it because I feel like he is doing his job. But now that my wife wants to get rid of him,, I am worried about how my hens will handle being without the rooster.

Sorry for the long post but wanted to include all the information I could think of and thought was relevant.

Thanks for your opinions.

I think they would be just fine. They will probably establish a new order since the roo isn't there to be the top but they should continue to lay . U think the Important thing is that they aren't alone. The hens have each other and will continue to do their thing. The issue with the roo is right in my opinion. He probably feels as the dog is a threat which in most cases it is . My girls currently are without a roo as well. My big guy was snatched by a racoon. I hate it but he saved the girls and chicks he was the only one taken. He also put up a fight. My girls seem to be alittle lost because they are used to him leading them but they continue to forage and lay eggs. They are free range by the way.

 

[DeBerryJacket]

I think they would be just fine. They will probably establish a new order since the roo isn't there to be the top but they should continue to lay . U think the Important thing is that they aren't alone. The hens have each other and will continue to do their thing. The issue with the roo is right in my opinion. He probably feels as the dog is a threat which in most cases it is . My girls currently are without a roo as well. My big guy was snatched by a racoon. I hate it but he saved the girls and chicks he was the only one taken. He also put up a fight. My girls seem to be alittle lost because they are used to him leading them but they continue to forage and lay eggs. They are free range by the way.

Thanks for the advice! I have 2 "big" dogs outside and he hasn't messed with them. The rooster was a good bit away from the puppy when he came running across the yard to jump on her back. My hens kind of have a separate pecking order between them already. I guess that is normal??? But there is kind of a "lead hen" and she will peck at the other hens when they are eating treats or drinking out of a waterer together.

 

[ashlierami]

Thanks for the advice! I have 2 "big" dogs outside and he hasn't messed with them. The rooster was a good bit away from the puppy when he came running across the yard to jump on her back. My hens kind of have a separate pecking order between them already. I guess that is normal??? But there is kind of a "lead hen" and she will peck at the other hens when they are eating treats or drinking out of a waterer together.

Yes it's normal roo is top dog then there will be the dominant hen over the rest of the girls. What I meant was the roo isn't there to control the "chaos" so they might change order since he won't be around. My once dominant hen is now not the top anymore, my older hen has taken the place since my roo is gone. The once dominant was his fav hen so she ruled over the ladies. My roo used to be alittle mean to my older girl so she wasn't as high up in the order. Some roos are that way. Mine wasn't agressive to people but he would move the girls away from my cats when they would be outside.

 

[Wilmer Gehman]

Yes it's normal roo is top dog then there will be the dominant hen over the rest of the girls. What I meant was the roo isn't there to control the "chaos" so they might change order since he won't be around. My once dominant hen is now not the top anymore, my older hen has taken the place since my roo is gone. The once dominant was his fav hen so she ruled over the ladies. My roo used to be alittle mean to my older girl so she wasn't as high up in the order. Some roos are that way. Mine wasn't agressive to people but he would move the girls away from my cats when they would be outside.

I totally agree with you ahlierami. I have a flock of hens and one rooster. He is very protective and a great leader, and he wouldn't hurt a fly! he lets me hold him and stuff. But apart from him, the flock has some hens that are the oldest and are at the top. I think ur hens would be fine without a rooster, Deberryjacket.

 

[Trish1974]

Agree with the others, your hens will be fine. What is most important is the safety of your wife, daughter and pets. You clearly don't need a rooster if you don't want chicks, so no need to keep him around. If you ever change your mind there are plenty of GOOD roosters out there that need a home.

 

[coach723]

A flock of hens will do just fine without a rooster. There will be pecking order reset, and you may end up with a dominant hen that may even practice mounting behavior with the other hens. I don't keep aggressive roosters, I only keep the good ones. I have two now that have never, ever gone after a human, and they are really good with the flock. I've dispatched many that were awful (there is a reason that 'Lucifer' is a common roo name ). So it is possible to have a rooster and peacefully exist with them, every rooster is an individual. But if you don't want to hatch eggs from your own hens it's not necessary to keep one, many people keep hens only, for various reasons.

 

[Mrs. K]

A rooster has ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of people. He will be attacking your child next, then your wife, the aggressive behavior grows.

Your hens will not really even notice. Your wife and kids will.

 

[aart]

Your hens will not really even notice. Your wife and kids will.

Exactly!
Well, they may notice and some behaviors change, but they will adjust quickly.
Everyone will be happier with the cockerel gone.