Should I have a roo and if I do which breed?

[LlamaChick]

I am plan on having Brahma, Salmon Favarolle, Orphington, Silkie, Red-Sex link, and true Ameraucana. I am wondering if I should have a roo and which breed would be friendliest. I don't want a mean roo and I can't talk myself into having freezer animals. I read somewhere that fertelized eggs are more nutritional than non-fertelized eggs? So should I just have hens or should I have a roo too?

 

[Mahonri]

If you have the room and it's not against the law and you can take the noise; Get a roo.

Our neighbor to the southwest has a beautiful Golden Phoenix... I want to borrow him.

I can't vouch for them being more nutritional.

 

[rooster-red]

The only difference between a fertilized and non-fertile egg is a single cell. No nutritional difference.

 

[andorraclaim]

Silkie Roo's are usually the tamest guys you can find but it all depends on the amount of quality human interaction they had growing up. Get a chick and raise him to be your little man! There is no difference in the eggs.

 

[Omran]

Quote:
If you are planning on having the hens hatch some of thier eggs then get a rooster, if not roosters are just a headacke.

omran.

 

[mlmadura]

Our neighbor to the southwest has a beautiful Golden Phoenix... I want to borrow him

I have a Golden Phoenix pullet and she is a doll.

But... I would only have a roo if you want chicks

 

[Guitartists]

As much as I LOVE my roos... even the Silkie that keeps trying to flog my toddler.... I agree that unless you are wanting to breed them, don't get a roo. There is ZERO guarantee that ant breed of roo will be mild and good with people..... ANY roo CAN turn into a great flock protector, but a badly behaved boy as far as you're concerned

So my opinion is that if you don;t have a reason to have one other than just to have one... why bother. But, that being said...... I also love my roos and I would miss the sounds of their crows if they were ever not there!

I can't imagine NOT having roos..... just remember that they are what they are, and most will do their job to their fullest extent...... and sometimes this is undesirable for the human.

 

[iajewel]

If you have that many hens, you will need more than one rooster. Figure one roo for every 6 hens. That brings you to cock fights in the back yard.. (unless your roos are prejudice to thier breed) and many crowing roosters in the morning.

 

[sara]

Oh definately get a rooster, or two or three. An orpington would be a good choice, or an Ameraucana, maybe both?

 

[Sunny Side Up]

I like having roosters with my laying hens because in my opinion it helps make for a more balanced chicken society. Roosters are also good for flock protection, they watch out for predators and signal warnings when they see any. I don't know if fertile eggs are any better nutritionally, but they're the only ones that will hatch

Part of our fun in keeping chickens has been watching the hens raise clutches of chicks.

Some folks can't stand hearing roosters crowing, especially those of their neighbors. Be sure you & your neighbors are tolerant. As far as temperment, I think some is due to nature, some from nurture. Some breeds tend to be more docile than others, but then individual birds can depart from the norm. You can raise some roos from day-old chicks and handle them every day and they still will grow up wary & aggressive. Others will be sweethearts no matter what you do to them.

There are lots of nice mannerly roosters around, give one a try! But do have a back-up plan for him in case he begins to misbehave, and try the next one. Let us know what you decide!