Pros and Cons of getting a rooster?

[muell112]

I enjoy having roosters - while I've got mine in an enclosed run most the time, the roosters do make alarm calls if something flies over or if a new dog comes in the yard. I'm loving my roosters right now too because I've got some broody hens and they actually hatched out a couple of adorable chicks. I think they're a natural part of a flock but wouldn't get more than 1 for your small # hens.

 

[keetsms]

I have no regrets getting a rooster. He has been great for my hens. He is very alert and constantly watching for the grab me gottchas that are around. I would advise to pick him up and hold him every few days. It teaches him he is not the boss. This was passed on to me from an old poultryman. It helps the roo to respect you and your family. You basically immobilize him rendering him helpless. It really does work. Good luck.

 

[tnchickenut]

Well, I would have to say go with the rooster. Sounds like your neighbor just doesn't want to hear a crow.

I love my roosters! They have all their own flocks who they protect, no major fights but I do keep them relatively seperated. Some breeds I have more than one rooster in a flock, others I don't.

I have to tell you, though... if you ever seen a rooster do his "alarm" that something isn't right, and the hens... they all freeze or duck under something, you wouldn't even be asking. Sure some are tempermental... even my kindest one will "bump" you (no claws or beak, but just a chest bump to say... "i'm in charge"). I do pick him up daily, and ALWAYS after a "bump". It's never a big deal. I guess people think that a rooster will run you down and slit your throat. It won't. My meanest rooster I ever had (who just got eatten by a fox two days ago - protecting the hen from the same fate) would try to chase you, but if you don't run... there is no chase. And I have never had a roo draw blood. So there are the two extremes I have dealt with personally.

If I didn't have a rooster for each flock, I would have lost hens on more than one occasion. I say go with the boy. Keep the natural order of things and let them be a flock with a guardian.

Besides all that.... if you want to have your own chicks or sell hatching eggs from time to time... you will need one. You may not think you want to do that now... but trust me.... you will. It's a addiction.

 

[dawg53]

Roosters are great babysitters er....hensitters. Just a heads up, you'll need to purchase or make some chicken saddles for your hens, you wont regret it and it'll save you heartburn in the longrun. I dont have a roo right now. I put my Salmon Faverolle roo up for adoption because he always attacked me on site and drew blood several times. I'm looking for a Jersey Giant rooster to REALLY gouge me now! Just kidding lol, but I've been reading alot of info on them here in BYC forums and I'd like to have one.