Should i add a rooster advise needed.

[Chickassan]

Wow, i'm not a very good educator I didn't answer your questions. Even with a gentle mature roo there are times of the year when feather wear will be worse namely spring when he's wanting to see chicks! The right rooster will not change how your hens perceive you, he will however always be nearby they are just hardwired that way. An older fella is nearly always better, but a good boy is a good boy no matter the age. The kids should be fine unless a hen screams, if that happens the rooster will defend. The dog is another story, unless you raise the rooster around the dog he will probably see your pup as a threat. One more thing, your tree isn't a hawk cover you think they can't see in but they can. If anything it gives a stable vantage point for scouting. Not trying to scare you, just giving a heads up since yours are confined.

 

[Folly's place]

I think that having roosters is an integral part of having a flock, and wouldn't want to be without some. BUT, there can be issues, with obnoxious boys who need to be gone. And there's no way any rooster can fight off a fox, or defend against many critters who want to have a chicken dinner.
Livestock guard dogs are by far the most expensive and labor intensive way to go. It will be much better to fix your fencing issues, and add overhead protection from raptors. Electric fencing is excellent for ground predator protection.
Mary

 

[bobbi-j]

1. 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".
There might be, but again, you may not get one of those.

2. My girls are super sweet lap chickens. Will a rooster change the relationship they have with people?
Very possible. Hens will generally come to depend upon the rooster's leadership in a flock. And a good rooster (in my opinion) will lead his hens away from you and any other perceived threat. (That does not mean it's OK for a rooster to see you as a threat and attack you because "he's doing his job". He's not. He's being stupid at that point.)

3. If I find "the right rooster" should I look for a "same age rooster" maybe one who has no "prior experience"?
I agree that a little bit older would be good. I'd wait until your pullets are laying before getting one.

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.
It could happen. I'm also in the "if it ain't broke" camp. You have a nice happy flock and friendly hens. Don't mess with it. For more protection, put some bird netting over the top of your run. Put some electric wire around your fencing as it's possible for predators to climb up and get in. A rooster isn't going to fend of a fox, coyote or coon. He may or may not fend off a hawk.

If you did get one, and he didn't work out - turned mean or over bred your hens, what's your plan? Try to rehome him? Good luck - in a lot of areas, it's hard enough to find homes for the nice ones, let alone the others. Eat him? Nothing wrong with that, but could you do it? If you get one, you need an exit plan if he doesn't work out.

 

[cmom]

Hi Friends. Wondering if I should add a Roo to my flock. I have some unique question I would like opinions on. I have 11 hens. 20 weeks old. None laying yet. Cochin, Barred Rock, orpington, brahmas delaware, favorelle. All raised from day old and super people loving.They are in a huge natural run with lots of hiding spots. We have 6 foot chicken wire walls with a welded wire apron. The run is under a massive Oak tree for Visual coverage from hawks and shade. Coop is solid as a rock and they are locked up at night. We live in South Carolina and have Red Fox, Racoon, Hawk and Bobcat. Recentl,y a Red Fox has been eating my neighbors chickens (they free range). I am considering a rooster for added protection and for alarm purposes. But I have concerns beyond what I can find on line. Will you all weigh in with your thoughts please.
1. 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".
Sometimes the males will have favorite females and tend to mate with them more. There is a such thing as a chicken saddle you can put on a female that looks to be over mating and you only need a male if you plan on breeding.
2. My girls are super sweet lap chickens. Will a rooster change the relationship they have with people?
They may. Every bird is different like people. Each has it's own personality.
3. If I find "the right rooster" should I look for a "same age rooster" maybe one who has no "prior experience"?
Youth is good.
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.
Some males will want to protect the females so you would have to see how a male would react with your boys.
Good luck and have fun...

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posters. I have several males but I breed and hatch my chicks. I have my birds well protected, electric around all of the coops and pens, concrete under the gates, heavy duty netting over all of the pens and game cameras around on my property to see what critters are roaming around especially at night. I have had my share of losses in the past but not in a very long time. I have no dog, only chickens.

 

[New2Chicks97]

We haven’t had our chickens long....just since February. But we accidentally ended up with a Buff Orpington cockerel instead of a hen. He is aggressive with both humans and the girls. He flat out attack’s my daughter every time she goes out to be with the chickens even when she is feeding them. And he has torn tufts of feathers out of any of the girls that stands still too long too close to him.

So my advice would be to avoid a rooster unless you really want to breed your hens.

Ours roo is going away soon.

 

[ronott1]

We haven’t had our chickens long....just since February. But we accidentally ended up with a Buff Orpington cockerel instead of a hen. He is aggressive with both humans and the girls. He flat out attack’s my daughter every time she goes out to be with the chickens even when she is feeding them. And he has torn tufts of feathers out of any of the girls that stands still too long too close to him.

So my advice would be to avoid a rooster unless you really want to breed your hens.

Ours roo is going away soon.

You should re home him. Check with your local feed store to see if they will help you

 

[New2Chicks97]

You should re home him. Check with your local feed store to see if they will help you

Oh we are planning to. There is someone locally that will take roosters. He will probably end up on a plate somewhere but I don’t think I care at this point. As my husband pointed out he has been consistently aggressive since he was little and we still though he was a she. As a little chick he was always trying to peck anyone who put their hand in the brooder.

We just have been so busy with obligations, funerals and kids activities we have not had a spare moment.

 

[ronott1]

Oh we are planning to. There is someone locally that will take roosters. He will probably end up on a plate somewhere but I don’t think I care at this point. As my husband pointed out he has been consistently aggressive since he was little and we still though he was a she. As a little chick he was always trying to peck anyone who put their hand in the brooder.

We just have been so busy with obligations, funerals and kids activities we have not had a spare moment.

It is a busy time!

Things will be much more peaceful when he is gone

 

[Hyper_Chicken05]

1. 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".

Yes, Some roosters are more gentle than others. Even if the rooster is over doing it you can always get a hen saddle.

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

No, A rooster will do absolutely nothing to their temperament towards you, And tame roosters would be just aa friendly as your hens. All the treats you give him will go to his hens, He just gives them his treats lol.

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

An older one might be better because young roo's are known to over-do it.

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.

Hmmm.... Unless you raise the dog as a puppy with the roo, Or you raise the roo as a chick with the dog, They won't get along.

How old are the boys?, If they old enough the protect themselves then it's fine. If they aren't old enough then you'll have to raise the rooster with the boys, Or lock the rooster up while the boys play with the hens. However there is the chance that the rooster is nice and won't attack them.

I would also wait untill the hens are older and laying, The roo might hury them on accident without any older hens to mate with. It really depends on what your preferences are, there is no, "You shoulden't get a rooster, Or "You should get a rooster" in this case.