Pros and Cons of having roosters?

[Elizabeth1987]

Hi, I just started raising chicks a week ago. I ordered 6 hens from MPC, but 3 died so now I am looking to buy more. The lady I found in my town that will sell to me doesn't sex them... and I've been pretty stubborn about only wanting hens. But I'm thinking about just going with it and seeing what I get. Roosters can't be that bad, right? I can butcher them, can't I? What are the pros and cons of having roosters??

 

[Poultry Chick]

I only keep hens, but some roosters can be helpful with protecting the flock. You can raise and butcher them or if you want to hatch chicks in the future then you would have a use for them. I've just never had a use for them.

 

[drumstick diva]

Unless you need fertile eggs or hatching or to sell, you don't need a rooster. Hens will lay just as many eggs without one -albeit infertile, and will enjoy a less stressful life. As a protector, either the roo may run faster than the hens and hide, or stand up to face a predator and die on the spot. Either way - no real protection factor.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Roos spend most of their time watching while the hens have their heads pointed at the ground, and they get very vocal when there's a perceived threat. That warning tells both hens and owner that something needs paying attention to.

 

[Pork Pie]

In my experience the alpha hen takes on the protective role when I have no cock bird. I'm with D/Diva on this one.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

In my experience the alpha hen takes on the protective role when I have no cock bird. I'm with D/Diva on this one.

There's no way an alpha hen can do the job of multiple roosters. My roos set up a 3-point guard when they're together, and individually escort smaller groups around the property.

 

[Pork Pie]

There's no way an alpha hen can do the job of multiple roosters. My roos set up a 3-point guard when they're together, and individually escort smaller groups around the property.

Oh well, I guess my experience is irrelevant then.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Oh well, I guess my experience is irrelevant then.

Not irrelevant, just not the full picture.

 

[perchie.girl]

I have had hens do guard duty but I also have had Roos do the three point guard duty.

Each experience is different for sure. I happen to love roos. Their posturing and antics.... I have had as many as nine.... Counting the juvies that make up the bachelor flock.

deb

 

[Ravynscroft]

Here's a bigger picture...

With a small flock, more than one cockbird is usually asking for hardship on your hens... for larger flocks, multiple cockbirds could be kept, depending on their individual personalities... some share duties, some accept a leader and follow suit and some never accept another being dominant... some cockbirds are stellar alertists and protectors, some not so much... those would be the first ones to cut and run and make it to shelter before a single hen does, lol...

Without a cockbird, yes, an alpha hen usually steps up as the matriarch... however, she is rarely alone... hens are more likely to work together than multiple cockbirds... at the least she usually has 1 or 2 betas that will run 3 point guard as well... then there are hens that are just oblivious to everything else around them but food, water and roosting...

All in all, you'll just have to see... as you said, you can always butcher the cockbirds... or if that ends up being more than you are comfortable with, offer them free in your local ad site... because until they mature fully, you won't know if they're good ones or not, or if they're for you or your flock or not...

I have had just a layer flock that did fine without a cockbird... and I have had (still have) cockbirds that hens separated into other areas will do everything to escape just to be with...

All I can say is, it wouldn't hurt to try it and see... cockbirds are great, but not everyones cup of tea... hope this helps and good luck with your flock...