Rooster... to keep or not to keep?

[RebelEgger]

So our EE chicks are 6 weeks old now. I suspect I have at least 1 if not 2 roosters (hopefully no more).
1 I can rehome no problem but I am considering keeping one should it present itself. I have grown quite attached to these little velociraptors.
Why shouldn’t I keep a rooster? Is there a down side? Experienced keepers please tell me the pros and cons (if any)
I am a new chicken keep and want to make the best most informed decision. All of mine (so far) are quite friendly. Even the one that I am 99% sure is a rooster is a lap chicken. He’s a knob but a lovable one. He’s clumsy and makes me laugh. Rushes in with guns blazing then trips over something.
We do have close neighbors who would be effected by his presence but only until next spring when we move, then we will have 20 acres and he can crow his head off if he chooses to do so.

 

[Hidrainja4]

Do you want fertilized eggs? Then yes you need a rooster. Ask the neighbors that you have now if it would bother them. Don't be rude. The city I lived in it was against the law to have a rooster. After that it really is up to you. If you do not want or need fertilized eggs, then you might be feeding a bird for no apparent reason.

 

[RebelEgger]

Immediate neighbours don’t mind and I already checked with the municipality to see if we were allowed to keep them (we are actually allowed multiple!) I don’t think I necessarily need fertilized eggs yet, but we have talked about hatching our own in the future. And with 2 dogs, 3 cats and some hens, what’s one more mouth to feed? Lol

 

[Ridgerunner]

What are your goals toward keeping that boy? The only reason you need a rooster is if you want fertile eggs. Everything else is personal preference. Nothing wrong with personal preference, just how does he tie in with your keeping chickens?

What are the pros? He will be eye candy, boys are usually prettier than girls.

Some people feel that a rooster will protect the flock. I personally think that is greatly overrated, but sometimes one will attack a cat, hawk, or something like that to protect his flock. I think they do act more of an early warning system for some predators, mostly flying birds of prey, not much use against a fox, dog, or anything of any size or an ambush predator.

A good rooster should help keep his flock peaceful, do things like break up fights between the girls. My girls don't fight that much anyway and often another dominant hen will take over a lot of a head rooster's duties anyway. Bottom line is that many people have a happy peaceful flock without a rooster. They are not really necessary for that. And a rooster has no effect on how many eggs a flock will lay or if a hen will go broody.

Some people like to hear a rooster crow, some hate it, especially at 4:30 in the morning.

Some roosters become human aggressive, some don't. They might attack and injure you, your family, or visitors. They can cut frogs and mice into bite-sized pieces with their beaks and they have very sharp claws and spurs. Plenty of people have roosters that are not human aggressive but if you get one it can be dangerous to kids especially.

Some roosters are hard on the hens. They can over-mate them or cause bare patches on their backs or heads. Once they mature this usually isn't a problem but immature cockerels can be really rough on the pullets. Some people have a hard time watching immature cockerels and pullets interacting.

Young cockerels are bolder and more curious than pullets, even when very run. They come out to say howdy while the pullets hang back. They have personality. It's a common trap if you are picking out chicks at a feed store. If you want pullets stay way from the ones with personality, get the dull boring ones. If you get one they typically become your favorite because they are bold. But if he is gone, your pullets might be bolder.

 

[RebelEgger]

What are your goals toward keeping that boy? The only reason you need a rooster is if you want fertile eggs. Everything else is personal preference. Nothing wrong with personal preference, just how does he tie in with your keeping chickens?

What are the pros? He will be eye candy, boys are usually prettier than girls.

Some people feel that a rooster will protect the flock. I personally think that is greatly overrated, but sometimes one will attack a cat, hawk, or something like that to protect his flock. I think they do act more of an early warning system for some predators, mostly flying birds of prey, not much use against a fox, dog, or anything of any size or an ambush predator.

A good rooster should help keep his flock peaceful, do things like break up fights between the girls. My girls don't fight that much anyway and often another dominant hen will take over a lot of a head rooster's duties anyway. Bottom line is that many people have a happy peaceful flock without a rooster. They are not really necessary for that. And a rooster has no effect on how many eggs a flock will lay or if a hen will go broody.

Some people like to hear a rooster crow, some hate it, especially at 4:30 in the morning.

Some roosters become human aggressive, some don't. They might attack and injure you, your family, or visitors. They can cut frogs and mice into bite-sized pieces with their beaks and they have very sharp claws and spurs. Plenty of people have roosters that are not human aggressive but if you get one it can be dangerous to kids especially.

Some roosters are hard on the hens. They can over-mate them or cause bare patches on their backs or heads. Once they mature this usually isn't a problem but immature cockerels can be really rough on the pullets. Some people have a hard time watching immature cockerels and pullets interacting.

Young cockerels are bolder and more curious than pullets, even when very run. They come out to say howdy while the pullets hang back. They have personality. It's a common trap if you are picking out chicks at a feed store. If you want pullets stay way from the ones with personality, get the dull boring ones. If you get one they typically become your favorite because they are bold. But if he is gone, your pullets might be bolder.

Thanks Ridgerunner, solid advice. I have some time yet to think about it, just wanted all the info before I need to make a decision so I have time to decide.

 

[Folly's place]

I like having roosters, but only individuals who aren't either human aggressive, or nasty toward their flockmates. With youngsters, it can take time to figure this all out, and the 'friendly' ones are often the boldest, with no fear, not a good thing.
See how your boys develop, and be ready with alternatives if issues come up.
Mary

 

[TheOddOneOut]

So our EE chicks are 6 weeks old now. I suspect I have at least 1 if not 2 roosters (hopefully no more).
1 I can rehome no problem but I am considering keeping one should it present itself. I have grown quite attached to these little velociraptors.
Why shouldn’t I keep a rooster? Is there a down side? Experienced keepers please tell me the pros and cons (if any)
I am a new chicken keep and want to make the best most informed decision. All of mine (so far) are quite friendly. Even the one that I am 99% sure is a rooster is a lap chicken. He’s a knob but a lovable one. He’s clumsy and makes me laugh. Rushes in with guns blazing then trips over something.
We do have close neighbors who would be effected by his presence but only until next spring when we move, then we will have 20 acres and he can crow his head off if he chooses to do so.
View attachment 2207136

If you raise him and treat him right, he will be great. He will be respectful to you if he doesn’t see you or a family member as a threat.

 

[RebelEgger]

I like having roosters, but only individuals who aren't either human aggressive, or nasty toward their flockmates. With youngsters, it can take time to figure this all out, and the 'friendly' ones are often the boldest, with no fear, not a good thing.
See how your boys develop, and be ready with alternatives if issues come up.
Mary

Thanks Mary, and TheOddOneOut.
I will see how everyone matures and how personalities are as they age. My husband and I both would like to keep one as we enjoy the crow but will wait and see.

 

[Mrs. K]

If this is your first year with chickens, then I would advise letting them go. Roosters take some experience in my opinion, and you only get that with time. People who tend to never have issues with roosters, are people who have had a flock for years, that flock is a multi-generational flock, and if the rooster does not work out, they do not question removing the bird.

Roosters raised up with flock -mates, rapidly outgrow the pullets. They are the biggest thing in the flock, they are top dog. They become interested in sex long before the pullets are interested and often times will bully the pullets. They can get very aggressive.

People that have never experienced a violent rooster, tend to vastly underestimate the possible attack. They tend to explain away or blame themselves for the birds early aggression. Eventually the darling becomes the nightmare, and they still feel they are at fault. Some people on here will blame them too. If you have small children under the age of 6, I strongly recommend not having a rooster, roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of people. They tend to attack children first, then women and then men.

Roosters often times are the most friendly and outgoing chick, they do approach you, are not afraid of you, seem to trust you. And one takes all of those actions as positive attributes that this rooster will be a life long friend. When in truth, they are wired to be brave. In the chicken world, fear equals respect. Anything afraid of you is lower in the pecking order, hence roosters will become aggressive to put you in your place.

There are many aspects to this hobby. It is better to work your way into it. IMO roosters is year two or even year 3. By then you will have full grown chickens that will school some manners into that rooster. He won't be the biggest thing in the pen for some time, long after the worst of the hormones have gone past.

Mrs K

 

[RebelEgger]

If this is your first year with chickens, then I would advise letting them go. Roosters take some experience in my opinion, and you only get that with time. People who tend to never have issues with roosters, are people who have had a flock for years, that flock is a multi-generational flock, and if the rooster does not work out, they do not question removing the bird.

Roosters raised up with flock -mates, rapidly outgrow the pullets. They are the biggest thing in the flock, they are top dog. They become interested in sex long before the pullets are interested and often times will bully the pullets. They can get very aggressive.

People that have never experienced a violent rooster, tend to vastly underestimate the possible attack. They tend to explain away or blame themselves for the birds early aggression. Eventually the darling becomes the nightmare, and they still feel they are at fault. Some people on here will blame them too. If you have small children under the age of 6, I strongly recommend not having a rooster, roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of people. They tend to attack children first, then women and then men.

Roosters often times are the most friendly and outgoing chick, they do approach you, are not afraid of you, seem to trust you. And one takes all of those actions as positive attributes that this rooster will be a life long friend. When in truth, they are wired to be brave. In the chicken world, fear equals respect. Anything afraid of you is lower in the pecking order, hence roosters will become aggressive to put you in your place.

There are many aspects to this hobby. It is better to work your way into it. IMO roosters is year two or even year 3. By then you will have full grown chickens that will school some manners into that rooster. He won't be the biggest thing in the pen for some time, long after the worst of the hormones have gone past.

Mrs K

Thanks Mrs K, that is great advice as well.
I have read about ‘walking through’ a rooster so with the one we suspect for sure I have been doing this to him since he was in the brooder. Even if it was just with my hand, i would ‘shove’ him out of the way and still do it now.
This one in particular will probably go to my niece who has an established flock of 2 years. Her husband has been wanting a roo. I just have to wait and see what the rest turn out to be. Fingers crossed I have hens but too soon to tell for sure.