Pros and cons of having a rooster?

[Debs55]

sorry if this is in the wrong section, I wasnt really sure where to put it. Anyway I recently found out that 5 of my 20 chicks are roosters so of course I have to get rid of 4 of them atleast but I am undecided about keeping one. Opinions?

 

[teach1rusl]

First off, you don't HAVE to get rid of all of your cockerels. Sometimes, especially if raised together (and often times depending on the breed/temperament), as long as there are enough hens available, roosters do fine together. I have two myself, although both are bantam.

That being said...

Cons: Some have been known to turn aggressive toward humans
Some can be rough on hens
Crowing if you have neighbors who might complain

Pros: The sound of crowing!!
Some are helpful with predator protection (although not all are)
Some are very considerate of their hens
Fertilized eggs if you want to hatch chicks

 

[Nikkipar]

I have a rooster, and after a few techniques I am glad I kept him. When the girls first started laying he got pretty randy, and there was some competitive activity going on. He was pretty rough on them at first , and when he got rouch enough to bloddy a hens head, I had to separate her because then it is like free season on her.
What I learned that put him in his place is that I separated him from the flock on the same day that I reintroduced the injured hen. She spent a week in a box that I built to house her, that was right next to the coop and all involved could see, but not peck eachother. Then I free ranged them for a week, and monitored the whole time. When it appeared that everyone just ranged, and there was no aggressive behavior I waited until dark, and opened her cage door. She did not leave it, and I left for the night. When I woke up the next morning I put the rooster in the box and started that process again. Now he is def. not top in the pecking order. Most of the hens get first pick at the treats when I throw them in even. It knocked him down a few pegs, and made the coop harmonious again! (Who can live with an aggressive meat head who thinks he is top roo anyways lol).

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[Debs55]

well I guess I am alittle biased against roosters because when I was little my brother also had chickens and his roosters were very mean so I remember whenever I had to feed them for him the roosters would peck and chase you lol.

I dont have to worry about the crowing but I am worried about the pecking and bloodiness because I have already dealt with lots of chick picking. I am really just undecided..I guess I do have a while to think about it though thanks!

 

[Nikkipar]

The temperment of roos can vary between roos and breeds. My rooster has NEVER tried to peck me or attack.... but my husband remembers his childhood chickens that attacked at a moments notice. I say try with one if you want, and just ask your local feed store if they will take him if it doesn't work out.... often they will if you don't have the heart to introduce him to the cookpot.