Removing Rooster - consequences??

[norcal]

We've had one roo in the coop w/ the hens from day one (about 4 days old). We're talking about culling him, as he's mean to my husband and others (not too bad to me). Also, he's de-feathering the backs of my beautiful flock!!

Anyhow, I'm wondering if I do remove him, if there will be any weird changes in the flock? Fighting? Anxiety?

Pecking order disasters? Or will they be fine?

I know, this sounds goofy, just wondering what to expect and hoping it will be for the better. I feel like he is their protector (but, I do like to have friends babysit, and he's a jerkwad to anyone but ME!!!!).

 

[bkreugar]

I've had both with and without roo. Hens are FINE without one although the top hen is blatently clear. As a whole unless you want them breeding I personally have seen no reason for a roo. I have a 2 really sweet roos and 2 not so nice that will be going to freezer camp when big enough. Hope that helps.

 

[gritsar]

There will mostly likely be some mild fussing while they pecking order is re-arranged, but then all will be well.
I personally don't buy into the idea that roosters are only good for fertile eggs. My rooster does alot more good than just fertilze eggs, but I wouldn't put up with a bad one.

 

[norcal]

So, when is a good time for babies? Is there a season when they go broody (more often than other times)? I want babies (my BR hens are 21 wks).

Should I cull the roo and then get another in the spring? ??

 

[Schroeder]

I don't know why anyone would NOT want a rooster if their location permits it. It seems a majority of forum members are very fond of the chicken HOBBY, and the eggs are a great bonus. The roos are beautiful. Watching the dynamics and interaction of the hens and roo is fasinating! I feel sorry for the city folks who aren't allowed to have a rooster.

 

[norcal]

Uh.....he's mean and attacks people.

Truthfully, he's not mean to me, but I've seen him go after hubby, and if he was doing that to me, he would have had his lil head chopped off weeks ago. *shrugs*

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Just having a roo and hens doesn't guarantee you'll get chicks. You have to have hens that go broody and in alot of breeds the broody factor has been bred out.
My flock is 17 months old, I have a rooster, haven't seen one broody.
I do agree with Schroeder. I can't imagine my flock without a rooster. To me, having hens without a roo is like watching TV without sound. You only get half the story.
To answer your question norcal, yes. Don't put up with a mean rooster. There are plenty of good ones out there.

 

[NellaBean]

I don't really have an answer other than....I have a nice rooster now....used to have a relatively nasty one. Even with my nasty rooster, I did feel much safer letting his girl out when him around to watch her back.

I still donated him to a barbeque. I don't want to deal with nasty roos.

However, I do not allow the girls out without a rooster around to watch over them. It just seems like the girls are so busy pecking and scratching and wallowing around that they don't even notice anything going on. The rooster still pecks and scratches but also spends a large amount of time keeping watching over the girls and is definitely the first to notice me coming over.

If he is nasty, I would get rid of him and if you can have a rooster........consider getting a nicer one. There are pleeeeeeeeeeenty to choose from. Just check the forum!

I have only had chickens with roosters, so don't have any input on what changes you will have. I do know that when I started leaving my rooster penned up separately from his girls during the day, I worried about something getting the girls while I was gone. He is now off restriction and back with the ladies. Nobody is allowed out with a rooster to keep watch

 

[norcal]

Yes, I've noticed that when I feed them snacks/scratch that he is "on watch" 97% of the time. He really rarely eats snacks. That's why I know he is a protector. However, they are not free ranging chickens yet. They are in the coop/run 24/7.

Our other roo is nice to us, but mean to the hens (so he's separate). So, I think they are both going to be soup.

 

[vtchickenlady]

I wouldn't totally give up on your roo if you like him and he is mean to just a few. We are going through re-training now with our roo. He recently turned mean for no reason. I have a squirt bottle w/ watered down lemon juice in it and he gets a blast to the face when he's mean. It seems to be working. Forget trying to pick him up to carry around - he's too fast for that, so for now the lemon juice works.