Looking for a roo - size considerations

[fanofdmb84]

I want to add a rooster to my flock of 11. They are about 16 weeks old right now. I have standard sized chickens - orpingtons, EE, Australorp, cochins, black star, wyandottes, etc.

I considered a bantam roo so if he turns into a jerk, at least he's small and won't be so intimidating (I have kids, a truly mean rooster will not be tolerated anyway). But then I got to thinking, any eggs we may hatch would be smallish chickens and their eggs would also be smaller, so maybe that's not a route I want to take with my flock. I'm not concerned with keeping lines pure or anything, my hens are mostly pets but I would like to keep a dual-purpose flock for meat at some point.

I have seen some roosters available nearby that are larger, brahmas, and I wonder if that's also not advised due to the size difference between a potentially huge rooster and my standard sized hens.

Maybe I'm overthinking it? Do I need to choose a roo that is the same size as my hens?

 

[5.3acredream]

Roosters are kind of a crapshoot. That said, I've only had gentleman roosters who gave me no trouble at all and spent plenty of time giving treats to their ladies and showing them the nest boxes. I wouldn't aim for a bantam rooster because of your desire to keep your egg sizes larger. Personally, I'd get a rooster that is standard size and see if he becomes a jerk or not.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I want to add a rooster to my flock of 11. They are about 16 weeks old right now. I have standard sized chickens - orpingtons, EE, Australorp, cochins, black star, wyandottes, etc.

I considered a bantam roo so if he turns into a jerk, at least he's small and won't be so intimidating (I have kids, a truly mean rooster will not be tolerated anyway). But then I got to thinking, any eggs we may hatch would be smallish chickens and their eggs would also be smaller, so maybe that's not a route I want to take with my flock. I'm not concerned with keeping lines pure or anything, my hens are mostly pets but I would like to keep a dual-purpose flock for meat at some point.

I have seen some roosters available nearby that are larger, brahmas, and I wonder if that's also not advised due to the size difference between a potentially huge rooster and my standard sized hens.

Maybe I'm overthinking it? Do I need to choose a roo that is the same size as my hens?

I'm breeding medium sized to small chickens for free range survival, largest would be around 5lbs, the eggs the hens lay are large white. If I hatch enough next year, would these fit what you want? Also they're human, & child friendly.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I think your best bet is to get a nice rooster about the same size as your hens.