Pros and cons of having a roo?

[Cradd]

Just found out I accidentally brought home a rooster. To keep or to rehome? What are y’all’s experiences?

 

[nuthatched]

It's up to your local laws and the individual rooster.

 

[WallyG74]

Highly debated topic. You can search here and find more material than you’re ready for. Opinions from one end of the spectrum to the other.

 

[Yardmom]

Do you have other chickens? What is your coop, run, etc. Like? I currently have 7 rooster split between two flocks. With around 45 birds total. The roosters rule the flocks, sound the alarm for danger and of course father the chicks.

 

[Isadora]

The most obvious pro is that you can hatch your own chicks.
If you have a good rooster, he will be gentle with his hens, be on the lookout for danger, and in general not make a nuisance of himself.
But there are plenty of nasty roosters who have misplaced aggression and attack their keepers, are too aggressive with mating and either overmate or have rough techniques.
I have a good boy. He tidbits his ladies, is not rough when he mates with them, and has shown zero aggression towards me and my children.

 

[Naisha]

I had more than one and I rehomed them. Their energy was too strong for me to handle, one of them stressed my hens a lot, that also depends on how many you have, though. I’ve also heard that every rooster is different and it depends on the individual rather than the breed. If you have a rooster that is calm and good boy, they’re really beautiful. If you don’t want to hatch you don’t need one, but we also don’t need other pets and have them anyway, so having one because he’s nice and beautiful is a valid reason haha.

 

[Cradd]

Do you have other chickens? What is your coop, run, etc. Like? I currently have 7 rooster split between two flocks. With around 45 birds total. The roosters rule the flocks, sound the alarm for danger and of course father the chicks.

I have 4 hens and two pullets that he was raised with. The run is 80 something square feet?

 

[McChooky]

My chickens are contained in a large covered run so I don't have to worry about other people being around my rooster.I also don't have any small kids. I do keep my roosters spurs trimmed so he can't hurt the hens during mating or in case he ever attacks me. I never turn my back to a rooster because they're unpredictable. They're worth the trouble if you want to raise baby chicks but its more fun to raise hens without one. Good luck!.

 

[chickengr]

at some point I rehomed my roo. for about a week my hens kept fighting. the new roo put them in line and saved me.

 

[Silexian]

In my opinion rooster behavior depends on the individual rooster. It also has to do a lot with the flock keeper and how they interact with their flock. Roosters, like most animals seem to pick up on fear. If you are nervous around roosters. It is probably best that you do not keep a rooster. If you have pet chickens that you like to pick up, hold and carry. A rooster can perceive that as a predator trying to carry off his favorite hen. So he may decide to sink his spurs in your leg, to get you to release her. So not a good situation to keep a rooster. If you can not supervise small children around any animal. It is not a good situation for any involved and should be avoided. Also as previously mentioned. Check your local laws and get close neighbors opinions about a crowing rooster. To help in your decision on keeping one.