So I have a rooster....now what?

[ZooMummzy]

This is probably going to be a really silly post/question so please be nice, lol but I'm dead serious: I have no idea what to expect from a rooster with hens and the eggs they will lay. I know I'm going to have learn about broody hens too since I do have Silkies and I know they love to go broody. I have a BSL too who sits on eggs all day long till I shoo her off. But first...the rooster.

One of my 12 week Cochin bantams is a rooster and I am so attached to the little guy I can't get rid of him (at least yet). He is sweet and docile for the most part, just spunky enough. The neighbor who was a problem seems ok now with me having him (all the other neighbors are excited I have one) and I'm taking all the steps to stop his early morning crowing (letting him out late etc)...so far so good. I know he's young yet so I'm trying to prepare myself in case his crowing gets out of control. He is scared to death of my standard size hens but he's going to be living with them soon. He tries to mount some of the bantams but they aren't interested. What other rooster antics should I expect and the eggs my hens will start laying. My husband is freaked out that they will be fertilized eggs.

Anything other members can share with me would be greatly appreciated because I'm new territory here. I feel like a new chicken owner all over again

 

[danielbrown]

With a rooster you will have fertilized eggs. However there is no reason to freak out about it. Eating wise there is no difference between a fertile and a infertile egg. The only difference a fertile egg will grow only when exposed to a really steady temp of 100deg like under a broody hen or in an incubator. Collect they eggs daily and store them 70degs or colder and their won't be any problems.

 

[Dar]

get ready to laugh at him i laugh at mine all the time....but make him your "baby" give him lots of love you dont want him to be aggressive and also maintain your top bird status with him you rule the roost not him

 

[crtrlovr]

I love my girls, but I ADORE my roos!

My alpha roo Sarge (RIR) is a wonderful flock leader. The second in command, Moose (Buff Orp) is wise enough to give Sarge top billing, but will sneak in his cuddles with the girls at every opportunity. I have 4 little bantam frizzle cochin roos (I took them from a BYCer who couldn't have roos in her community; she'd ordered them from a hatchery & since they didn't sex bantams, she got straight run -- 5 cockerels, 5 pullets

) The smallest little cockerel died, but the other 4 are doing great and do their best to "have their way" with the big hens. Some cooperate, some don't, some just look at them like "you've GOT to be kidding..."

They cluck & call the hens over to inspect the latest goodies they've discovered, and do their calls when a predator or stranger approaches. Did I already say I ADORE my roos?

ETA: my bantam OEGB BB Red is named Mr. Big Stuff. He does his very best to live up to his name!

I may be dating myself here, but does anyone remember the old song "Mr. Big Stuff! Who do you think you are? " ...

 

[Judy]

Your husband will never know which eggs are fertile and which are not unless he learns to spot the tiny white solid circle vs. the tiny white circle surrounded by a tiny white ring, on the yolk. Most people never notice either of them -- I certainly never did til I read about it here, and I have loved overeasy fried eggs all my life, so I must have seen it hundreds of times when I cracked the egg.

I have read that it is not that unusual for cheap old store bought eggs to be fertile.

Unless DH really hates the chickens, maybe he will get attached to your little roo, too, and that would help.

Meanwhile, here is a great overview of broodies:

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

Oh, and the fertile marks on the yolk:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=16008

You know, I've seen several heated arguments on these posts, but I have never seen anyone put down for asking "newbie" questions. People seem to realize we were all newbies once. I'm maybe a step or two past newbie, but I still learn a lot every time I visit.

 

[LilbitChicken]

LOL

I totally understand your leery ideas.....BUT my roos are somehow some of my favs!!

They have a more distinct personality..... I have 2....2 different coops... and wouldn't give up either for the world!!!
AND I have 2 month old chicks.....I A M WAITING to see WHO is a roo and who is not. lol......ANOTHER coop(s) will be added to JUST so I can keep my babies!!!!

RELAX, have fun, enjoy them!

 

[ZooMummzy]

Thank you for all the replies and insight

Yeah, he, Blake is his name (used to be Bianca) is my favorite. Always has been and is why I just cannot get rid of him. I adore this little guy. I definitely do not see him becoming aggressive. He bit me once and I tapped his beak and said no very sternly. He hasn't done a thing since except love me up even more than he did before, lol

So far I've done a very good job of staying flock master, lol even though I am heavily outnumbered. The only one who fights me is my BO hen Lottie.

I have to admit when he tries to have his fun with the girls, it scares me. They scream bloody murder and I push him off. I don't know if I should or not, it just freaks me out, lol.

I do have another rooster (I think), a white Silkie, that I want to keep so I'm hoping they continue to get along. I have 2 other Buff Silkies roosters too but I think they are going to have to go to a new home. That is way too many roosters.

Thank you for the info about the eggs and the threads about broodies. I kind of thought that was the answer regarding egg tempeture. I already collect eggs twice daily and keep them in the fridge so I will just keep doing that until I want to hatch chicks.

Thank you again...keep the info coming...I need it, lol

Edited to add a couple photos of my baby...

 

[Judy]

Quote:
This is actually a good thing to do, not because the pullets need defending (roos seem to be ready to go before pullets are) but because it reinforces that you are the head roo. The head roo often won't let lower class roos mate in his presence.

 

[ZooMummzy]

That is good to know...thank you

 

[Judy]

Quote:
That's what we're here for.

I had to read it here, too, to learn this