Should I keep a rooster?

[Kings1228]

We have 6 4 week old Barred Plymouth Rocks. We are pretty sure 1 is a cockerel. We bought the chicks because my children(4&9) are afraid of animals and thought this would help some. Now adding a rooster in the mix may not be good. How/When will I know if it will be mean? Or can it happen at any time? Thanks!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You'll know when it flogs one of you.
That usually won't be before 20 weeks if at all.
Roosters attack predators and other roosters. They are there to protect the flock and will be watchful of any movements that resemble either.
If you educate the children to move very slowly around the chickens and not walk directly toward any of them, that will help a lot.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Keeping one rooster with 5 hens may not be such a great idea. His amorous attentions will likely make them miserable and cause them to loose some feathers (or worse, be injured by his constant mating attempts).

Roosters can really be a wild card. They can be sweet as a peach for years and then just turn nasty one day, or they could just start out nasty, or they can be lovely little critters. Its all luck of the draw.

I would forgo the rooster, especially since your children are a little iffy around animals to begin with. Why take the chance if traumatizing them when you don't need to? Plus, with roos and children, it really is a safety concern. Not a risk worth taking.

Good luck

 

[Kings1228]

Thanks for the input. I will wait until about 4 months old to decide. We may be getting more pullets soon. Not sure yet.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I'm sure you'll want more layers. 2 per family member as a minimum is recommended.