When I build the new coop it will not be far from my bedroom window. Now I like the sound of nice roo crowin in the morning but we all know they crow a lot more than that. I'm wondering, is there really much call to have one in your flock if your not planning on breeding ?
They help to provide protection for the hens. Not foolproof, but they do help. Pretty to look at. Fun to have around and listen to. Other than that, probably not.
Roosters crow in the middle of the night if they hear a noise...keep that in mind. I wouldn't want one right near my window. But I do love roosters.
Roosters are optional if you don't plan on breeding. They can provide some protection to the flock, but let's face it. When that fox or coyote or stray dog comes through, it will take the rooster first, then pick off the hens. A flock without a rooster learns to watch the sky and head for cover when necessary. If you don't mind crowing right outside your window at all hours, get a rooster. If you don't want to take a chance on one keeping you awake, don't get one.
A good rooster will protect the flock to some degree, mine however was a big chicken (no pun intended) when I came home one evening my roo was in the front yard and my hen was way out in the back in shreds (hawk attack).
I prefer to have a roo in my flock. They seem to keep the hens in check. Without one you will have one hen who can get bossy and may not lay as well.
If you don't free range, are newish to chickens, have small children, have a spouse or close neighbors that would object, or don't want to be woken up all night during the full moon or have a rooster crowing whenever you turn your bedroom light on after dark, skip the rooster. Most backyard flocks don't need one and they cause more issues than they solve.
And that's what they're supposed to do. The rooster will sacrifice himself so the hens have a chance to run. At least a lot of times it happens that way. And we've had that happen a few times,, where the roosters died, but the hens got away. Most roosters in their right mind are not going to challenge a fox or coyote, or raccoon. Or even a hawk, although some do. We have one rooster that has challenged a hawk and lived to tell about it. And if a hawk drops on a hen, chances are pretty good that her roo friend is gonna run away to save his own life, rather than try to get the hawk to get off of the hen. Lets get real, folks. Regardless, roosters are very good at watching for predators, especially those in the sky. I've seen a rooster spot a hawk a lot of times....and I had to look and look before I saw what he was looking at. We once had an awesome rooster who actually went to great lengths to point out a fox hiding in the woods, he was amazing to watch. Years later, he sacrificed himself to a hawk, for his hen friends. I think the roos are fascinating, they each have their own personality and are just part of the entertainment of having chickens.
Ok, I am going to tell you what has happened to me. I have 2 roosters under my stairs all night, every night. Why? Because I live in a town & they are not allowed to crow. Even when they crow in the day, I'm on edge waiting for some distant nasty neighbor to complain about noise. They are not obsessive crowers, but they are definitely noticeable. No more than a barking dog, However, you may have your very own miser living down the street. If you don't plan to breed either ditch the rooster plan or be prepared to have him living indoors during noise nuisance hours.
