Rooster

[ShrekDawg]

So I probably won't get more hens soon, let alone a rooster, especially with the neighbors in the back, but I have been considering it, so I have semi a hypothetical question.

What do you think out of these is the best rooster?

My friend's friend is getting rid of his Silkie rooster (this part isn't hypothetical it's true) so I could take him.

Also considered Buff Orpington rooster.

Now tonight I've thought about a Buff Brahma or Speckled Sussex rooster.

Thoughts on if one's better or not? My thoughts were the Brahma would just be a big giant gorgeous friendly fellow. Am I wrong?

If I get one I want a friendly one and preferably pretty but obviously that varies. And a somewhat quiet rooster. I know that varies too. And I know some will say you have to be the boss to the rooster and not make it a pet or whatever and I get that but I guess what I mean is some roosters no matter what you do are prone to being mean and attacking so I want one that's known for being nice.

Thanks.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Posted this kind of late last night but anybody

 

[bobbi-j]

The first thing I would ask is why you want a rooster? For breeding? If so, what are you looking to breed for? What qualities do you want in your flock? Do you want to produce a better egg laying flock? Something that will have some meat on it? (You've gotta have a plan for those extra cockerels) Or maybe you just want one for some eye candy. It's fun watching a good rooster with a flock, but a bad one can be a terror. There is no such thing as a "quiet" rooster, but I've read somewhere on here that silkies don't have quite as much volume as a larger one. Of the three breeds you've mentioned, I've only had a Brahma. He was a good rooster. He was not a pet, would herd his hens away when I came near, and stayed out of my way. When I brought kitchen scraps out, he'd check them out first, then call the hens over and feed them. He'd literally pick up a piece of food and give it to one hen, pick up another piece and feed another hen. He was also protective of the broody mamas and babies from the rest of the flock. Unfortunately, he was no match for the coyote that raided my flock a few years ago.

 

[Poticus]

The first thing I would ask is why you want a rooster? For breeding? If so, what are you looking to breed for? What qualities do you want in your flock? Do you want to produce a better egg laying flock? Something that will have some meat on it? (You've gotta have a plan for those extra cockerels) Or maybe you just want one for some eye candy. It's fun watching a good rooster with a flock, but a bad one can be a terror. There is no such thing as a "quiet" rooster, but I've read somewhere on here that silkies don't have quite as much volume as a larger one. Of the three breeds you've mentioned, I've only had a Brahma. He was a good rooster. He was not a pet, would herd his hens away when I came near, and stayed out of my way. When I brought kitchen scraps out, he'd check them out first, then call the hens over and feed them. He'd literally pick up a piece of food and give it to one hen, pick up another piece and feed another hen. He was also protective of the broody mamas and babies from the rest of the flock. Unfortunately, he was no match for the coyote that raided my flock a few years ago.

Just curious. What did you do about the coyote? I just lost 6, including my rooster.

 

[bobbi-j]

We were on vacation at the time. It happened the day before we came home. My mom had been taking care of the chickens, letting them out to free range in the morning, locking them up at night. When she called to tell me about it, I told her to just keep them locked in their coop/run. That was in August. They remained confined until DH harvested the corn field next to where our coop is! and chased three coyotes out of the field. That was three years ago. We got another dog that winter and haven't had any predator losses since. Except for the dog himself. When he was 6 months old, I was gone for a week, and someone left him unsupervised all day while the chickens were free ranging. It didn't end well for the chickens (or that *someone* since I specifically said to lock either the chickens or the dog up if he was going to be gone all day since I didn't think the pup was old enough to trust yet). Then last year he took a hen. He was caught in the act and severely reprimanded. So far this year, not a problem. When I'm doing chores, he just lays down and completely ignores them - even when they walk up to him or go flying past his face.

 

[ShrekDawg]

The first thing I would ask is why you want a rooster? For breeding? If so, what are you looking to breed for? What qualities do you want in your flock? Do you want to produce a better egg laying flock? Something that will have some meat on it? (You've gotta have a plan for those extra cockerels) Or maybe you just want one for some eye candy. It's fun watching a good rooster with a flock, but a bad one can be a terror. There is no such thing as a "quiet" rooster, but I've read somewhere on here that silkies don't have quite as much volume as a larger one. Of the three breeds you've mentioned, I've only had a Brahma. He was a good rooster. He was not a pet, would herd his hens away when I came near, and stayed out of my way. When I brought kitchen scraps out, he'd check them out first, then call the hens over and feed them. He'd literally pick up a piece of food and give it to one hen, pick up another piece and feed another hen. He was also protective of the broody mamas and babies from the rest of the flock. Unfortunately, he was no match for the coyote that raided my flock a few years ago.

Thank you for the help!! I'm not really sure why I would want one tbh, I guess mostly just because the flock doesn't really seem complete without one plus they're so handsome. They seem fun to watch too. Though honestly I was happy with hens but my friend texting me about the roo got me thinking about adding one again, I've always somewhat wanted one but was afraid of volume. But my hens are loud in the AM too. If I did add one, even for seemingly no reason at first, eventually I think that I would like him to help to protect the flock, to look handsome, and I may even consider letting him breed and hatching out some chicks. Maybe let one of the girls go broody. And of course hopefully somewhat friendly or able to be held but that's not a requirement since I barely even hold my hens right now (just not out there enough) and your roo sounds perfect. In fact, come to think of it, as long as he lets me talk to him and get within like 50-100 feet without flogging me I'll be happy

mostly just a handsome boy to lead his lovely ladies. I think I'd feel better about free ranging with a good roo. If I bred I admit I don't really have any agenda other than wanting cute chicks but come to think of it, now that you mention specifics and possible reasons, I think that I might like to breed the best layers together and the friendliest personalities. As well as the coolest colors or possibly sex links. Speaking of which, I may let him breed to the 2 EEs for egg colors too. I guess lots of reasons. I've also always been interested in trying out cool breeding projects and with a good roo I may be able to. What sorts of chicks or colors do you think I would get from any of these roos with 1 Barred Rock, 2 Black Australorp, 3 Buff Orpington, and 2 Easter Egger hens? And possibly adding 1 Speckled Sussex, 1 Golden Laced Wyandotte, 1 Silver Laced Wyandotte, and 1 Partridge Rock and maybe another Barred Rock or a Brahma hen in the fall or spring. Wow your roo sounds perfect! Sounds like he was an excellent roo and a true gentleman. Sorry for your loss

And as for your dog and other chickens, sorry about that too. That's terrible :/ I would be so mad. Sounds like something my dad might do, though he hasn't tried it yet thankfully. But he'd probably be "oh they're fine. He won't hurt them"

 

[ShrekDawg]

I do admit I probably need to do se more thinking though

 

[bobbi-j]

A couple more things to consider: Neighbors. Do you have close neighbors that would be bothered by a rooster? Anyone who works nights? Are you allowed to have roosters where you live?

If you were to allow a hen to go broody, what would you so with the chicks once they grow up? They don't stay cute and fuzzy for long. And some of them will be boys. You can't keep them all with the flock. You could build a "bachelor pen", but then you have to figure out how many non-productive birds you're willing to feed.

If your rooster loses his life trying to protect his hens, how broken hearted will you be? He can't fend off most predators. Some times a rooster will sound the alarm so the hens can try to find cover while he's being eaten.