Older Rooster or same age rooster

[WVBassFan]

I have so been there, with me it is coons! Bane of my poultry... Fingers crossed.

besides farming I'm learning the art of trapping too

 

[aart]

I'd suggest you get a mature cockbird from your neighbor,
once your hatchlings are at point of lay.

Got a plan for the ~50% males you will hatch out?

 

[WVBassFan]

I'd suggest you get a mature cockbird from your neighbor,
once your hatchlings are at point of lay.


Got a plan for the ~50% males you will hatch out?

So you see a benefit to a mature rooster but don't even get one until the hens are mature... I'm also thinking protection. While I am going to do my best to secure my coop I'm not sure any coop is 100 percent...I had a young rooster that didn't fair so well with the possum... wouldn't a more mature do better at protecting? you think he would harm the chicks while they are growing???
lots of different opinions on that and yes... chicken and dumplins

 

[aart]

A cockbird might be a good alarm system against predators...or he might not.
He may sacrifice his life by actually attacking a predator...pretty rare.
Mostly they will be a speed bump on the way to the buffet.
And that's in a free range scenario, he will be just another victim in the dark if pred gets into coop at night.

A good mature cockbird knows who is ready to mate and who is not,
unlike a young cockerel who will likely try to mount everything,
he will not harm chicks but may help protect them from other hens.
It might be fine to bring a good mature cockbird into a flock of immature pullets,
but probably better to wait until they are sexually mature.
Hard to say what he would do with young cockerels.

 

[WVBassFan]

I've also read that it might help to have a couple of Guinea fowl in there also... any thoughts on that?
are they better for predators? they get along with chicks in the coop?

 

[aart]

Guineas are probably less effective for flock protection than a chicken cock.
The only real protection against predators is a secure coop and run.
Free ranging is always a risk, there are ways that can help to reduce the risk.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/search/19733529/?q=free+range&t=post&o=relevance&c[title_only]=1