Rooster?

[Unearthed wonder]

cockerel

Do you know if 5 hens will be enough for 1 rooster? Definite got some rooster planning to do. We all knew, however, were all being super hopeful

 

[drumstick diva]

totally Cockerel

 

[JedJackson]

Do you know if 5 hens will be enough for 1 rooster? Definite got some rooster planning to do. We all knew, however, were all being super hopeful

5 hens would probably be fine. If the he gets rough, which most cockerels do when they are learning, you can put him somewhere separate, like a dog crate, for a while to give the girls a break.

You shouldn't feel obligated to keep him, though, or guilty if you decide against keeping a rooster. Weigh the pros and cons and make the decision that is right for you and your family.

 

[Unearthed wonder]

So far we see more pros than cons, however, the fact I have other people's children here most days does concern me. What age to they start mating? He still is not crowing, so this may become an issue too. Spoken to most neighbours who are not concerned, as yet

 

[JedJackson]

So far we see more pros than cons, however, the fact I have other people's children here most days does concern me. What age to they start mating? He still is not crowing, so this may become an issue too. Spoken to most neighbours who are not concerned, as yet

He'll probably start trying to mate soon, but it can be any time within the next 2 or 3 months.

If you have small children around, I would definitely be concerned about having a rooster. They can hurt a child pretty badly. You won't know for a while if your boy will turn out to be human aggressive, but I would not allow him access to kids, especially unsupervised access. If he's kept in a coop and run, and not allowed out, then you should be okay. But make sure kids can't get into the coop, which probably mean locking it. And if you plan on free ranging, I would really think twice about keeping him. It is much better to be safe than sorry, as the old saying goes.

 

[ejtrout31]

long as u work with him u will be

He'll probably start trying to mate soon, but it can be any time within the next 2 or 3 months.

If you have small children around, I would definitely be concerned about having a rooster. They can hurt a child pretty badly. You won't know for a while if your boy will turn out to be human aggressive, but I would not allow him access to kids, especially unsupervised access. If he's kept in a coop and run, and not allowed out, then you should be okay. But make sure kids can't get into the coop, which probably mean locking it. And if you plan on free ranging, I would really think twice about keeping him. It is much better to be safe than sorry, as the old saying goes.

fine