My question is should I get another Rooster?

[fefetoo]

Last evening Fred my beloved RIR rooster died trying to defend our hens against some kind of predator.
Fred and 3 hens were killed.
2 Dominique hens and one Buff Orpington, Willow.

Fred's first wife Ethel was killed by predators 3 years ago.

So, now I have Little Richard, the Dominique roo. He's not much of a rooster...somewhat oblivious. But he is now 2 yr.old.
Will he "step up"?
Has he always just been a little strange and removed because Fred was the "alpha" rooster?
His crow is goofy. Is that indigenous to Dominiques or is it just Richard?
Ironically I had already made plans to buy 2 Gold laced Wyandottes, 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes and 2 Australorp pulletts tomorrow. Do I try to replace the Dominique hens?
Should I get a Silver Laced Wyandotte roo?
Or should I call the breeder from whom I purchased Fred at the Ohio national show in 03and get another RIR roo?
I do still have one Buff Orp, one Aurucauna, 2 Pearl leghorns, (all hens) and 3 RIR pullets and 1 Dominique hen left.
I've had some silkies but they have to go. It seems I like my birds big and gentle.
Whaddya think??
Get a baby cockerel tomorrow or not?
I really loved Fred. He was so sweet. He came when I called him and he LOVED being told how beautiful he was. Loved it! if I threw scaps out he would find the food, call the girls over with this little purring thing , and then stand back to let them eat. Such a gentleman Roo.
Should I get a roo now? Or should I wait? I just don't know.
Accepting all suggestions.
Thanks-fefe

 

[V Chic Chick]

You don't NEED a rooster unless you want chicks. It's very unusual for them to go and protect their girls against a predator, but it does happen.

If you do decide to get another roo then get some more hens as well to prevent feather loss through over mating.

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Hi We almost lost our RIR roo to last year He was protectiing his girls as well. The predator hurt his neck. For weeks he could hardly hold hiis head up. I took care of him and hand fed hiim until he was able to put his head down to eat. During that time we were afraid we would loose him and my DH got another roo Now we have two and alot of trouble. I would waiti to get another roo. Unless you want to hatch eggs you don't really need a randy roo. Micki

 

[bayouchica]

Hi, I'd give Little Richard a chance.. might take some time for him to step up. If ya get another roo it could be trouble, they might not get along & fight.
Good luck & let us know how it goes.

Miriam

 

[SpottedCrow]

I'd leave well enough alone right now...if you get new birds you'd have to quarantine them and that would stress out the old birds too.

 

[Davaroo]

I vote to give Little Richard a chance.

Cocks are like people, in that they come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and abilities. If your little bird has been bottom of the totem pole up til now, there is little ought for him to do now BUT to step up. See if he rises to the occasion.

Who knows, he may take a "wife" before long, too.