Roosters May Be Overrated...

[sean320]

Hey all,

I would like to share a chicken life experience with the BYC family. I'm sure it has been discussed at length in a previous post as most chicken talk has, but I will share regardless.

We have a monumental BA rooster. He is as gorgeous as they come. He chaperones 5 lovely ladies of mixed breed. We have been struggling with consistent egg laying since the 20 week mark so we decided to give our hens a break from the daily mating process which appeared to be a little rough and forced at times. We isolated our Roo for a short period and experienced solid egg laying from each hen. We are in this hobby primarily for the eggs but I enjoy the company of a manly Rooster. It is unfortunate, but it appears we may be removing him from the flock. I haven't quite made up my mind yet; It will be difficult to say, so long my friend.

Just wanted to share the experience. Happy Labor Day!

 

[enola]

This is the very reasn that my roosters are only with my hens when it is breeding season. Most hens are much happier without constant harassment from roosters.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have found that you need to remove roosters who only wish to mate, there are a lot of roosters that add stability to a flock, I have seen hens so in love with a good rooster that they sit around him and gently peck at his face. In free ranging, hens are more relaxed knowing that a rooster is watching for danger, and I know mine will not eat anything foreign until a rooster comes and tries it and gives the okay. So the right rooster for the right flock, priceless, the wrong rooster, a pain in the flock.

 

[SnowPeeOstrichU]

Maybe that rooster is one that needs more hens to divide his attention among? That may solve the issue of too much attention from him.. Definitely an issue with roos

 

[sean320]

Maybe that rooster is one that needs more hens to divide his attention among? That may solve the issue of too much attention from him.. Definitely an issue with roos

We do have 15 BR's on deck for the coop. They are happily devouring a bag of starter feed in the brooder / run as we speak. Some of my indecision to cull Mr. Roo comes from exactly your thoughts. Will life be easier with 20 +hens available for frolic.? I asume so but what to do until then. We dont have appropriate long term isolation available. Our BR pullets are at the 6 week mark and I suspect my pullet order contains a Roo or 2. Hehe.

 

[SnowPeeOstrichU]

That should be good. 20 is a lot for one roo as I understand it but if you think you have a couple more, it should be fine

I'm not sure what you do short term.. Some say filing his beak means he can't mate until it grows back because he can't hold on but I've never tried to do that with my roo so I'm not sure how easy/viable a solution that is.