Should I keep him?

[BoundlessLove]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens!
Glad you are here!!

 

[Not-so Slick Chicken]

Is the splash at the left your surprise cockerel?

I personally like having roosters, but I grew up with them.
Most people don't need roosters. They're really only necessary if you want fertilized eggs for hatching.

Roosters aren't guaranteed to protect the flock, either. And they really can do nothing against most predators. They can give a warning call to the flock, BUT so can hens and pullets.

It's really up to you to make sure they're safe from predators. Which can be very difficult depending on what you're dealing with.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hi, and a belated welcome! I personally would keep him. My flock doesn't feel complete without at least one good rooster.

 

[Bsmac]

Hello! Welcome to BYC! I would give him a chance!

 

[Geira]

Hello everyone and hope you had a great Thanksgiving! We’ve lost a few hens to various predators and it was time for a few new hens. We have 6 total at the moment. Ends up one of the hens is an Amerucana Rooster. So 5 hens to 1 rooster. So far it’s going pretty well, but I’m not gonna be able to add any more hens to the flock until spring. What are your thoughts? I do have a friend who is willing to take the rooster if the ratio is not going to be sufficient in the meantime. But so far the rooster (white) has been wonderful.

I had two roosters and only four hens and while I did rehome one of them, they all got along fine. I now have a 1:4 ratio and so far it's been fine. Mine is a black Australorp and he's pretty laid back, so it might depend on the Roo

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC. I hope you are able to keep him. A rooster adds so much interest to a flock. I have about a dozen and I enjoy them, and their antics, as much as I do my hens. Good luck!