Pros & Cons of having a roo your input appreciated!!

[chickiemommy]

I happen to love my rooster.

He's only 10 weeks, but is already so attentive and watchful of his girls (our 3 other banties). I can't imagine not having him. I'm not sure what we're going to do with all of the fertilized eggs, though.

I don't know how many people will eat them. At least the 2 orpingtons will give us unfertilized eggs. We keep them and the banties apart.

 

[gryeyes]

I am always amazed at the number of people who are squeamish about something they can neither see nor taste.

 

[ninjascrub69]

They are great at protecting the flock, and a good roo will give his life for his girls. I've always found games are great at protecting their flock, and are generally nice to humans. Another good thing is when you need more chickens, you just hatch out some eggs, and you dont have to buy any chicks from the feed store or hatchery.

 

[ninjascrub69]

Quote:
X2

 

[chickiemommy]

Quote:
True, but if you are planning on selling eggs it is something you have to consider. We know they'll be eaten, but we just don't know if they'll be bought.

 

[chooniecat]

I have ALWAYS been gentle/attentive with my roos and you can STILL get a mean one. hormones. and some disciplin can help but with kids around they need to be watched. I must say that only 1 of the 3 we had to dispatch was nasty to us. the other 2 had started to fight to blood and I stopped them immediately. Its just easier to take the chance of getting a naughty roo if you can deal with it right away rather than rehome the poor thing where it will have simalar problems and THEY might not be kind about it. My current cockerel is 9 months old and seems extremely gentle and doesn't push the girls if they're not interested. we'll see how he does in a few months.

 

[woodmort]

Quote:
This misconception frosts me more than any other--it is worse and dumber than the one about needing roosters so the hens will lay. A fertilized egg has exactly one more cell than a nonfertilized one. That cell does not even combine with the ova until the hen starts to set and the egg reaches temperature. So when a person eats a fertile egg they are not eating rooster sperm or a baby chick and to believe that is simply ignoring biology. Sellers of fertilized eggs should try to educate their buyer to such. Also, of course, there are a few commercially sold eggs that are fertile so if buyers are squeamish they should also beware.

 

[Ema]

Quote:
This misconception frosts me more than any other--it is worse and dumber than the one about needing roosters so the hens will lay. A fertilized egg has exactly one more cell than a nonfertilized one. That cell does not even combine with the ova until the hen starts to set and the egg reaches temperature. So when a person eats a fertile egg they are not eating rooster sperm or a baby chick and to believe that is simply ignoring biology. Sellers of fertilized eggs should try to educate their buyer to such. Also, of course, there are a few commercially sold eggs that are fertile so if buyers are squeamish they should also beware.

I totally didn't realize people were still posting on this thread ahahahaha. I do like the different opinions, come spring when I make my decision if Its a go I hope to get my hands on a campine or Andalusian :-D