Should We Get a Rooster?

[danielchelsea]

Hi friends,
We have been building our flock and now have 8 beautiful ladies. We've got a mix of bantam and standard sizes, and nobody is laying yet. The Black Sex Links are starting to get very red faces so I've read that could mean they are close, but no eggs yet! The girls free range all day and are very popular and loved by our neighbors, but I have some concerns and I'm wondering if a rooster would help them. The Old English Game Hen and Seabright are always wandering off, as they are the lowest on the pecking order. Our Tolbunt Polish acts as their mommy and is never far behind and is always ready to cuddle them under her wings. Yesterday, I saw them wander too close to the neighbor's dog and thankfully they can fly pretty well, as they had to get into a tree to get away safely. In addition, we're surrounded by trees and I worry that one day a hawk will discover them. Our 2 Polish ladies are always off in their own world and I worry about them not noticing danger before it's too late.
At one point, we had a flock of 5 roosters, so we know how their personalities can be and such. I am just wondering if a rooster would help keep the ladies closer together so nobody gets lost or wanders into danger, warn them of danger, (that's the obvious yes,) and if the girls would enjoy having him around.
In addition, in a mixed size flock, which size rooster is the best to get? Standard or bantam? Will a mature rooster not have any interest in sticking around because the girls are not mature yet? (Our last rooster kept abandoning the girls and running off to see the neighbor's older girls who he was able to try to mate with.)
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks,

 

[rIrs roost]

I have 2 roos. They do stay on the lookout for hawks and such. One of my roos has fault with 2 hawks and save a couple of my hens. He luckily was unharmed too. Your girls will be happy with a good roo but if it's not a good one, they will not be happy. If your girls are mature and laying the roo will stick around. But since you neighbor has hens he may try to be with them too. I think really it's up to you if you want to try it. I personally love having my 2 around. They both always warn the hens when danger is around. yet I can't stand young cockerels. It takes them a while to mature and they aren't so nice to the girls mot of the time in my experience. But once they're matured some it gets better.

 

[MillersFarm]

I have 2 roos. They do stay on the lookout for hawks and such. One of my roos has fault with 2 hawks and save a couple of my hens. He luckily was unharmed too. Your girls will be happy with a good roo but if it's not a good one, they will not be happy. If your girls are mature and laying the roo will stick around. But since you neighbor has hens he may try to be with them too. I think really it's up to you if you want to try it. I personally love having my 2 around. They both always warn the hens when danger is around. yet I can't stand young cockerels. It takes them a while to mature and they aren't so nice to the girls mot of the time in my experience. But once they're matured some it gets better.

Agreed. Rooster can be very helpful when is come to predators. Two of my roosters a wyandotte and an EE managed to pin down a hawk and went crazy on it! The ladies will definitely listen to the rooster but i'm not sure if it would make them closer.. and If you do get a rooster i'd suggest getting a smaller roo. Seeing how you seem to like your bantams..

 

[Mrs. K]

Roosters are a crap shoot, some are great, some are not. I would wait till your flock is laying. And I think a bit of fencing might be a good idea, the neighbor's dog is going to win, with or without a rooster. When free range to that point, predators can figure you out.

 

[keesmom]

I agree with the idea of adding some fencing. While it's possible a rooster may help as a warning system there's plenty they can't stand up against such as your neighbor's dog.

The Polish we had in the past were all "special needs" type chickens that benefited from being confined.