the risk of roosters......

[moomin]

hi all,
we are not sure if we should hatch chicks out. we have lots of choices like is it worth the risk of males? and should we use a incubater or a hen? and if we did use a hen, would they accept the egg? and one very big one, what would we do if we did get a male? our next door neigbour (a complete chicken addict) might be willing but we don't know... they already have one male but really we just don't know.......... can anybody help?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You can't make a hen go broody, the hormones have to drive that desire so an incubator is more reliable from a timing standpoint. A broody however is more reliable for hatch rate.
Most likely the chicks will be half boys and half girls.
The boys taste just like chicken when they grow up.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Mentally, ask yourself this. What will we do with the cockerels? What if 6 out of 10 chicks hatched were cockerels?

While it theoretically 50-50, you're better preparing for a much higher cockerel rate, just in case it happens, and oh boy, does it ever happen.

 

[salahzantout]

what is the problem with roosters ?
why most of people seem to only raise hen ?

 

[ChucktheChick]

what is the problem with roosters ?
why most of people seem to only raise hen ?

Well, most people think they are loud, some think they are loud and annoying, some don't want their eggs to be fertile, and some all. It just depends. I think 1 or 2 roosters are great but if you get anymore, they could start to fight and hurt each other and the hens. It is just a matter if some people's opinions. Roosters aren't bad, if that's what you're asking. It all depends!

 

[bugglesmommy]

Many areas also do not allow roosters, only hens.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Every single egg you hatch has a 50/50 shot at being a boy so if you are going to hatch you have to have a plan. Don't assume that your overall hatch will be 50/50. It is a 50/50 shot each egg so even if the first 5 eggs all hatch as boys, the 6th egg is still a 50/50 shot. If you do not want to keep, rehome or eat roos then I would not hatch. Buy sexed chicks if you want to enjoy babies.

If you have a hen that goes broody often then the natural way is a great way to go but if you do not have a broody hen then they will not hatch eggs and you can not make a hen go broody. If you are interested in this it may be better to add some broodier breeds to your flock like silkies or cochins.

 

[cafarmgirl]

what is the problem with roosters ?
why most of people seem to only raise hen ?

A lot of people are not allowed to have roosters where they live. A lot of people also do not want to deal with the attitude that a rooster can develop as he matures.

Moomin: If what to do with the roo's you hatch is a problem then that is your answer. There will be roo's, no doubt about it. I am the same way, I really don't want to deal with all the extra roo's so I don't hatch. I buy sexed pullet chicks and raise them in a brooder. Even that is not 100% of course but I've personally very seldom gotten a roo in a sexed pullet batch of chicks.

 

[salahzantout]

well yea i agree rooster fights are deadly hehe
what we actually do in my country is raise them up to eat them

mostly each rooster can hold up to 10 hen

by the way i have posted pictures of my chicken, will be glad if you pass by

 

[moomin]

I don't need my chickens to go broody.... :-D my neighbour has one or two cockrels and there willing to give us eggs! thanks all but now I have another question, will my chiickens accept the eggs and hatch them out? and what happens if the chickens abandon the chicks when they hatch? oh and a few of you have asked what is wrong with roosters well lets just say it would be kinder to stick with hens!