Rooster or no?

[sammi_lynn12]

I am torn on whether I should get a rooster for my ladies. I have 6 pullets total. They will be one year old in Sept 2023.

I like the idea of a rooster for protection when I let them free range and hatching a few fertile eggs in the future but right now I am having no issues within the flock. Everyone is currently getting along great and I don't want to ruin their nonproblematic dynamic they currently have going on. I also don't want the hens roughed up constantly by the rooster.

I have a dog and cats that will be out when they are out free ranging and I don't want any unwanted vet visits caused by the rooster either if he sees them as a threat.

I know you can get lucky and get an easy going/friendly rooster but I am not sure if it is worth the gamble. I would really like to hatch eggs in the future and protect my girls but I am just torn on whether it is actually worth it.

Any input?

 

[sammi_lynn12]

Well, you wont believe it! The day after I made this post, I saw this guy on facebook and he is looking for a new home. Speckled sussex rooster, the exact breed I planned on buying in the spring. I took that as a sign and I am picking him up Saturday! I hope everything goes well and integrating over the next week or so goes okay! I am excited and nervous! Just hoping it works out!

 

[CoopBoots]

It really depends on the rooster.. you can get really lovely protective ones and really aggressive ones who can torment the hens too. it really varies.

I think the variety of answers all comes down to this. A good rooster can be the highlight of the flock and a source of joy. A bad rooster is the exact opposite.

How much are you willing to work to find a good rooster? I took the approach of adopting a mature rooster "pet" who needed rehoming (NOT a fresh cockerel full of hormones). He's a charmer and I and the girls love him. The downside was quarantine and treating his existing health issues (feather & scale mites). He's also not the most virile boy but my eggs still appear fertile. There's always a risk in introducing birds you haven't raised yourself, so keep that in mind.

My plan for the future is to raise his chicks in the spring and let the entire flock educate any new rooster offspring, as I've heard this tends to give them better manners as adults.

 

[Sally PB]

I've had a "troublesome" roo and a "good" roo.

The only reason you HAVE to have a male is for fertile eggs. He may defend the girls, he may not. He may harass/overmate them, he may not. He may be ok around you, he may not.

If you hatch your own eggs, remember about half will be boys that you will have to deal with.

 

[sammi_lynn12]

Like others have said, it totally depends on the rooster. I finally have a Barred Rock rooster who is very good with the ladies and good with me. I am like you, I really didn't need one but he was so good with them that I just couldn't part with him.
Just a little bit of advice: it is a little jarring to see them mount the hens the first few times, it was unsettling because of the way they grab on and it just looks all kinds of wrong lol. Once you get past that, and the rooster gets smoother with time, it is just all completely normal now. The hens all love him and roost next to him, so he must be doing something right lol. Good luck.

We went to get our Christmas tree last weekend and they have chickens out in a pen for the public to see. Well the rooster decided that was a good time to, well ya know. And it was a little shocking at first! I was jeez!! Parents were covering their kids eyes hahahaha

 

[I Love Feather Babies]

I am torn on whether I should get a rooster for my ladies. I have 6 pullets total. They will be one year old in Sept 2023.

I like the idea of a rooster for protection when I let them free range and hatching a few fertile eggs in the future but right now I am having no issues within the flock. Everyone is currently getting along great and I don't want to ruin their nonproblematic dynamic they currently have going on. I also don't want the hens roughed up constantly by the rooster.

I have a dog and cats that will be out when they are out free ranging and I don't want any unwanted vet visits caused by the rooster either if he sees them as a threat.

I know you can get lucky and get an easy going/friendly rooster but I am not sure if it is worth the gamble. I would really like to hatch eggs in the future and protect my girls but I am just torn on whether it is actually worth it.

Any input?

If you like the way things are going with your flock, then I wouldn’t get one. You can always get chicks from some one in your community or at TSC/Rural King.

 

[Kaw-Liga]

I love my roosters

 

[Estrellathehen]

It really depends on the rooster.. you can get really lovely protective ones and really aggressive ones who can torment the hens too. it really varies.

 

[I Love Feather Babies]

Well, you wont believe it! The day after I made this post, I saw this guy on facebook and he is looking for a new home. Speckled sussex rooster, the exact breed I planned on buying in the spring. I took that as a sign and I am picking him up Saturday! I hope everything goes well and integrating over the next week or so goes okay! I am excited and nervous! Just hoping it works out!View attachment 3337924

He’s beautiful. Hope he turns out to be good for you and your flock.

 

[sammi_lynn12]

He’s beautiful. Hope he turns out to be good for you and your flock.

I hope too! Thank you!