Rooster our no rooster

[usedhobarts]

Hi all, I'm new here and to chickens. I live in NW Mn. And have just finished converting a old milk house attached to the barn into a coop. I'm getting my hens hopefully this weekend. To start I'm getting 5 red star hens that just started laying. The coop is fairly large (12'x12') with 6 nesting boxes. My question is as follow. My hen provider asked if I wanted a rooster as a flock protector as I plan to start free ranging the birds in a month or two. I am also adding 5-7 mores hens before the summer ends to keep a flock of egg layers of 10-12. I'm getting mixed opinions on this rooster dilemma. Some are saying no worries while others are saying why? If your not planning on hatching your own chicks at some point. The coop is finished and the 5'x 40' run will be complete within the next month or so. I Will have no issues or concerns with predators until when and if I free range them.

Is a rooster just going to be a nuisance for me? I'm being told if I get one I will need to candle my eggs and he may beat up on some of my girls being in a enclosed area. Is this the case or am I over thinking this? Any advise would appreciated. Thanks

 

[JadedPhoenix]

Hi all, I'm new here and to chickens. I live in NW Mn. And have just finished converting a old milk house attached to the barn into a coop. I'm getting my hens hopefully this weekend. To start I'm getting 5 red star hens that just started laying. The coop is fairly large (12'x12') with 6 nesting boxes. My question is as follow. My hen provider asked if I wanted a rooster as a flock protector as I plan to start free ranging the birds in a month or two. I am also adding 5-7 mores hens before the summer ends to keep a flock of egg layers of 10-12. I'm getting mixed opinions on this rooster dilemma. Some are saying no worries while others are saying why? If your not planning on hatching your own chicks at some point. The coop is finished and the 5'x 40' run will be complete within the next month or so. I Will have no issues or concerns with predators until when and if I free range them.

Is a rooster just going to be a nuisance for me? I'm being told if I get one I will need to candle my eggs and he may beat up on some of my girls being in a enclosed area. Is this the case or am I over thinking this? Any advise would appreciated. Thanks

Getting a rooster is a personal decision. As for candling your eggs, NO. You will not have to UNLESS you just don't collect regularly and you have a broody hen. Chicks will not start forming just because they are fertile.

As for your rooster, "beating up your hens", you will have enough that you shouldn't have to worry about over mating. Young roos can be a little enthusiastic but that is no reason to discount them altogether. Roos can be a very nice addition to almost any flock. I have never had an issue with roos since getting a "mean" roo isn't as common as some would have you think. Personally, I like having a roo around but that isn't for everyone. Just don't let anyone scare you into not getting one.

 

[Spangled]

If your hen provider is offering you a rooster, it's probably worth trying it out. And I would get the rooster at the same time as I got the hens so that they are all pals and buddies before they start free ranging. Some hens need to know the rooster for a while before they'll respond to his oversight and warnings.

For me, a rooster is worth his weight in gold as a protector. They do watch out for the hens. They make a certain noise when a bird flies overhead and the hens freeze or head for cover (bushes or coop). I've had roosters that tell the hens when to dustbathe, when to drink, when to forage, etc., by leading them to each activity when he thought it was a good time. That's being on the ball. Not all roosters are that solicitous, but I imagine that your hen provider has a good rooster in mind for you if she/he is using the term "flock protector."

Just collect your eggs each day and then refrigerate them and they'll be fine. No candling necessary.

 

[usedhobarts]

Thank you all. I kind of wanted the rooster around but did not want to have issues with him. I assume like anything else I could get a problem one but the rooster is and has been already raised with the Henson getting so they will not be strangers to each. In a couple of months the additional hens I'm getting will come from the same farm. Is there anything I should know about introducing the new hens to the flock and rooster? The new hens are presently chicks at the same place I'm getting my birds from. Thanks

 

[usedhobarts]

Hens I'm Not Henson. I hate auto correct on ipad LOL

 

[Mrs. K]

I love my roosters, and you definitely have room for what you want to do. The only question I have, is do you have very young children? I am not a believer in children under 6 years and roosters.

That being said, roosters are a crap shoot, some are good, some are not, but when you go to get them, watch how the roo acts. If the rooster moves off, keeping a respectful space between you and him, he is probably going to be fine. If he puffs up or crows loudly at you, don't take him. Those roosters can be aggressive towards people, and roosters like that can ruin the whole chicken experience. I am assuming that the rooster will also be about 5 months of age..... by then, you generally know, not always, but generally.

I have had good, fantastic and absolute nightmares of roosters. If you are taking on a rooster, make sure that you or someone else can cull it, if needed. If that is too much for you, don't get one. When people ask me, I recommend just getting hens at first, get your feet wet, get some experience. However, if you don't have small children, and can get a rooster that is about 5+ months old, so that you can see the personality..... it could be lots of fun.

Mrs K

 

[usedhobarts]

No kids. 2 dogs , 2 cats, 1 horse and 1 girl friend. If a rooster will keep the girl friend in line I would get 2. I have no issue culling if need be but I thought I would give a go at hatching some of my own eggs for chicks next spring. I have a farmstead property 17.8 acres inside the shelter belts and am rural with only 1 other farm within a mile of me. Once all the animals get used to each other I want to free range the chickens. The farm they are coming from free ranges them now. I get a lot of wild water fowl here in spring as we have overland flooding every year here in the valley. This brings in swans, geese and ducks. I have a pond that is conitinually fed by an artisian well year around so I end up usually with at least 1 pair of Canadians nesting and numerous mallards and wood ducks nesting on the property. My lab seems to watch over the ducklings and goslings and runs off any neighboring dogs that wonder around in the spring. I'm assuming she will learn to watch over the chickens also when there are out and about. My biggest concern free ranging here is owls and hawks. I've been told a rooster is good to be around for these. Thanks for the information. I love this site. I really helps in preventing some trial and error issues I think many new chicken owners would experience. My goal next summer is to add 20-30 meat birds. I have the space and setup and would like to be 100% sustainable on organic free ranged poultry for my personal use.