Should I add a Rooster to my flock?

[D13]

I love the thought of having a roo, but would it work in my setup? I have 9 hens (6 of which are still pullets), they all live in a pretty big run (I can't free-range due to having a dog). I have had a roo before (Black Australorp), but I sold him partly because he made my hens less friendly to me (more flighty), but also because I wasn't ready to have a rooster (he was supposed to be a hen).
I hesitate to get a rooster because my last one wasn't nice and I don't want my hens to lose their back feathers from too much mating. Also, the idea of eating fertilized eggs is a bit off-putting to me... but I would love to hatch chicks with a broody hen one of these years! Just having another line of protection for my hens is a nice thought, especially because I have lost like 1/2 my flock to both predators and my dog. I would want my roo to be very friendly with me and my hens, is that realistic, though? I just can't decide if a rooster is really worth it. What are the pros and cons of owning one? And what are the best breeds for a super friendly rooster?

I recommend Cochins. They are super friendly, very fluffy, great with hens, and almost never aggressive. They are a bit larger but the extra fluff keeps them from really hurting anything. They're pillows with legs and the funniest chickens I own. I recommend Cochins 100%

 

[z3lda3]

How do you teach a rooster to not go after one specific hen I have a rooster that is over breeding one of them to the point that it’s missing feathers on her back and I’m not sure how to stop it that’s our rooster

You boy is beautiful! I know some ppl will say you need more hens, but that’s not accurate. A rooster will sometimes pick a favorite hen no matter how many hens you’ve got. You can use a hen apron or saddle. And if you watch your rooster, you’ll notice he’ll bite on their heads (near or on the comb). You can put peck no more on that spot on your hen, it deters the rooster.

 

[z3lda3]

I recommend Cochins. They are super friendly, very fluffy, great with hens, and almost never aggressive. They are a bit larger but the extra fluff keeps them from really hurting anything. They're pillows with legs and the funniest chickens I own. I recommend Cochins 100%

I’ll go a step further and say bantam Cochins. My primary is a bantam Cochin and 100% agreed, Cochins are fantastic.

 

[z3lda3]

Very crazy morning for me to we had a chick hatch in the incubator and tried to give it to mama and she didn’t want the chick around so now we’re going to get more chicks so that we can put them together poor girl or guy had a tramatic morning

Are you expecting more chicks from the incubator?

 

[JenniMcChick]

I recommend Cochins. They are super friendly, very fluffy, great with hens, and almost never aggressive. They are a bit larger but the extra fluff keeps them from really hurting anything. They're pillows with legs and the funniest chickens I own. I recommend Cochins 100%

SO incredibly happy to hear this!! I accidentally ended up with a male Cochin when I bought chicks for a broody this year. The chicks were all supposed to be Orpingtons, but seem to be a mixed bag instead.

But I've kept him, despite NOT ever wanting a rooster (or a feather-footed breed) because he's grown on me. He's a good boy. Very well behaved so far, but only going on 15 weeks rn. He actually gets bullied by my 1 y.o, hens rn (Buff orpingtons) despite being almost their size already.

And he just cracks me up when he runs! Toddles from side to side with his fluffy self going everywhere looking like he's trying not to tip over.

 

[z3lda3]

SO incredibly happy to hear this!! I accidentally ended up with a male Cochin when I bought chicks for a broody this year. The chicks were all supposed to be Orpingtons, but seem to be a mixed bag instead.

But I've kept him, despite NOT ever wanting a rooster (or a feather-footed breed) because he's grown on me. He's a good boy. Very well behaved so far, but only going on 15 weeks rn. He actually gets bullied by my 1 y.o, hens rn (Buff orpingtons) despite being almost their size already.

And he just cracks me up when he runs! Toddles from side to side with his fluffy self going everywhere looking like he's trying not to tip over.

What a handsome boy! Im trying to think, how old was my Cochin when he lost his hormonal mind..he crowed at 9 weeks and I THINK he was about 12-15 weeks when he turned into the cockerel nightmare. For about 6 weeks or so I really disliked him. He was awful, to me, the hens just a nightmare. But I gave him slack because he couldn’t help being hormonal. And now, he’s THE BEST. Great to the hens, friendly to me and the family. An excellent alert system. The only con my boy is white, so when it rains really heavily, I have to was his feet. He’s extremely booted. (I guess I don’t have to but I hate looking at his muddy little legs). He’s indignant as a rooster to be bathed, but handles it well. No fighting or biting. I personally love a Cochin, mine are pretty quiet and non-aggressive. And hysterical to watch!

 

[JenniMcChick]

What a handsome boy! Im trying to think, how old was my Cochin when he lost his hormonal mind..he crowed at 9 weeks and I THINK he was about 12-15 weeks when he turned into the cockerel nightmare. For about 6 weeks or so I really disliked him. He was awful, to me, the hens just a nightmare. But I gave him slack because he couldn’t help being hormonal. And now, he’s THE BEST. Great to the hens, friendly to me and the family. An excellent alert system. The only con my boy is white, so when it rains really heavily, I have to was his feet. He’s extremely booted. (I guess I don’t have to but I hate looking at his muddy little legs). He’s indignant as a rooster to be bathed, but handles it well. No fighting or biting. I personally love a Cochin, mine are pretty quiet and non-aggressive. And hysterical to watch!

Oh FUN! Almost at 15 weeks rn. He's chatty & "peeps", but I've yet to hear him try to crow. So praying that means he may just be less vocal & on the quieter end of the spectrum. But time will tell.
& THANK YOU for sharing about the cockerel nightmare with a wonderful boy on the back end. Will make sure & wait it out when that stage gets here, giving him a bit of time to get used to the new hormone surge.
Again, thank you for sharing your experience! Actually excited about my boy now vs dreading putting off what I thought might be the inevitable.