Should i add a rooster advise needed.

[Birdsong 82]

That’s a tough one. With a rooster you never know what kind of temperament we’re going to get. Certain breeds of roosters are more well known to have a gentle temperament but just like people they all have different minds and different attitudes. I love having my rooster around because he keeps my girls in line and watches over them and has led them to safety and Alex then when danger is gone. But I would never depend on my rooster to be able to save my flock from an attack. I know that man would put up one crazy fight for his ladies by a fox or raccoon or anything like that will end up killing your rooster also no matter how hard the fights

 

[ronott1]

You don't need a Rooster unless you are planning on breeding and hatching eggs.

They can be a fun addition to your flock though.

I can't have roosters at my place because I live in the City

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm with the if it ain't broke don't fix it crowd.

I do not want a rooster to tear up the backs of my hens and have them looking so used up and horrible. Is there such thing as a "gentle" dude who wont "over service them".

Sure these exist. The other kind exist too. You don't know which you have until you have it. Your pullets have some responsibility in that too.

2. My girls are super sweet lap chickens. Will a rooster change the relationship they have with people?

Possibly, maybe even probably.

3. If I find "the right rooster" should I look for a "same age rooster" maybe one who has no "prior experience"?

Same age or a little older is best. Your pullets are probably not ready to accept a male.

4. Am I just going to screw up the harmony my flock has. ie.My dog comes in the run, I have 2 boys who play with the chickens. All my girls are happy.

You will change the flock dynamics. Whether that is a screw-up or not will depend on how they change.

In my experience a rooster's contribution to flock safety is often greatly overestimated. I saw a hawk take a pigeon under a tree. That was over so fast a rooster would have had no time to react. In the predator attacks I've had the rooster was always unharmed. That was two dog attacks with a total of 13 chickens lost, and individual chickens lost to a fox twice, and a hawk and an owl once. I have no doubt that on occasions some people have seen a benefit from having a rooster with flock pertaining to predators. Other than an early warning system to hawks circling overhead I have not seen much.

 

[Birdsong 82]

I got my rooster when I got my first chickens just kind of ended up with him. Didn’t know much or read up much about roosters but knowing what I know now I probably wouldn’t have chose to get one. I’m glad I have the one that I do because he is simply beautiful and super dedicated to his ladies. He gets compliments all the time. He looks like he’s out of the painting but when you get a rooster you never know what you’re going to get. My mother-in-law just had to get rid of her rooster because he started getting aggressive with his girls and a friend of mine had to get rid of his roster because it came aggressive towards his wife and the children

 

[kritter mamag thad]

I used to not want roosters, but now that I have had them I will probably always have them.
You always hear the negatives - rough with hens, mean. But not all are.
Granted for them to mount a hen they have to catch them and then have to balance on them... and if not enough hens (which you do have enough) it can be especially rough.
But they are a nice and natural addition.
They find food and offer it to the hens - it is fun watching them do this. They have their own set of noises.
They are watchful and protective. They may not be able to stand up to the predators but they sound alarms and they do try to protect the hens.
I have 5 dogs and 2 cats. They get along fine with my chickens including the roosters.
I did have one rooster that turned out mean and he is no longer with the flock.

Younger roosters are, well, young hormonal males. So they will be especially... hmm... interested and aggressive.

 

[kritter mamag thad]

Regarding using a guard dog - they are great. But you have a pretty small area for most livestock dogs. And its a pretty pricey addition for a small flock. Also, I love them but they bark a lot esp at night... after all their duty is to keep things away form their family.

 

[Chickassan]

Totally up to you if you add one or not. They're gorgeous little beasts and iv'e come to love the crowing buuuut they're man chickens lol! There will be days when the nicest one on earth will be a butt, they do have mood swings. I'm in your state and have faverolle cockerels and a mature rooster i'd let go if someone needed a nice calm fella. The young ones are sweet, but they have a lot of growing up to do "code for getting their butts kicked by the battleaxes until they have manners."

 

[mountain chicken]

I have mt lion , bear , and just about anything you can dream up
elect fence works just fine

 

[Hyper_Chicken05]

If you end up with the right rooster then yes, You should get one.

Lots of people think that roosters can't be pets and they are only for breeding and protection purposes.
But they can be pets just as much as hens, I have found that roosters are more interactive & Inquisitive than the hens.

They will also keep your hens in line, No bullying, Fighting, or picking on a certain hen will be tolerated in the roosters presence.

I have a rooster, He follows me around everywhere. Lots of my hens will struggle or scratch me (on accident) to get out of my arms when im holding them, But my rooster just sits there as still as a rock.

 

[Kessel23]

An electric fence is not gonna stop a hawk.