Remove rooster?

[Pinguella]

We have 2 flocks of birds. One is a rooster with 8 hens, the other is not quite a flock yet because we have been searching to find the breeds we want to complete it, so far there is only one hen and one rooster. This works out perfect so far, the rooster is gentle, calm and not overbreeding the hen. The hen looks great and seems to be fine with her one rooster at the moment. But now they are starting a family it seems. She has been laying on eggs for close to 10 days. So far we are all happy and all is good. The question is what to do when the eggs are close to hatching, should we remove the rooster? We have room for him if needed but I am not sure if it is the best way to go at it? Is it likely that he will kill the chicks?

 

[snazzy4]

What kind of rooster is it

 

[chickengeorgeto]

We have 2 flocks of birds. One is a rooster with 8 hens, the other is not quite a flock yet because we have been searching to find the breeds we want to complete it, so far there is only one hen and one rooster. This works out perfect so far, the rooster is gentle, calm and not overbreeding the hen. The hen looks great and seems to be fine with her one rooster at the moment. But now they are starting a family it seems. She has been laying on eggs for close to 10 days. So far we are all happy and all is good. The question is what to do when the eggs are close to hatching, should we remove the rooster? We have room for him if needed but I am not sure if it is the best way to go at it? Is it likely that he will kill the chicks?

A chick's own mother is a bigger threat to the chicks health and well being than a rooster is. I would let him remain with his flock of one.

 

[NewToChix]

Our rooster is fine with the chicks. He even goes and hangs out with mama hen while she is caring for them. He is a very friendly rooster though. I think unless your rooster has shown signs of being mean or violent toward your other birds, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Pinguella]

It is a Wyandotte rooster. The hen is very protective of her eggs and the rooster is a kind one or at least has been so far. The small (bantam in english?) kochin that we have with the other eight hens is a lot more aggressiv with his hens. The Wyandotte has never been anything but kind to his hen but this is the first time we have let a hen keep eggs for her to hatch. The two has been together since the hen was 5 weeks and she is now close to 1 year the rooster is a few months older. They had company of others until a month ago when we sold the other 6 hens in this flock. We will try to let the rooster stay with the hen and keep an xtra eye on them to make sure its no drama.

 

[Pinguella]

Thank to all of you for great help, you make our job of keeping all birds happy a bit easier.