Thinking of adding a roo to the flock?

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I currently have 7 hens, all very sweet, the youngest ones being about 8 months old. I live in a neighborhood, but each house is on 1 acre, so we are a bit more spread out than normal. Several people around me have hens, and I think one has a rooster (I have heard it occasionally). I was searching around for hens to add to the flock and came across this free almost 4mo Silkie x Barred Rock roo. I have always wanted a rooster, but have never gotten one because of the noise. Now I know that all roosters crow, but don't Silkies tend to be more quiet? And Silkies tend to be very sweet, which is a must for me. Although, with it being part Barred Rock, how would that affect the temperament? Is 7 hens enough for 1 roo? How does having a rooster affect the flock (good or bad)? I feed my hens an all-flock feed with oyster on the side, so that wouldn't be an issue for him.

 

[Beau plus penny]

I currently have 7 hens, all very sweet, the youngest ones being about 8 months old. I live in a neighborhood, but each house is on 1 acre, so we are a bit more spread out than normal. Several people around me have hens, and I think one has a rooster (I have heard it occasionally). I was searching around for hens to add to the flock and came across this free almost 4mo Silkie x Barred Rock roo. I have always wanted a rooster, but have never gotten one because of the noise. Now I know that all roosters crow, but don't Silkies tend to be more quiet? And Silkies tend to be very sweet, which is a must for me. Although, with it being part Barred Rock, how would that affect the temperament? Is 7 hens enough for 1 roo? How does having a rooster affect the flock (good or bad)? I feed my hens an all-flock feed with oyster on the side, so that wouldn't be an issue for him.

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since hes part silkie he might get picked on my dominant hens unless he chooses to stand his ground which the barred rock part of him might idk much about barred rock roo temperament.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

since hes part silkie he might get picked on my dominant hens unless he chooses to stand his ground which the barred rock part of him might idk much about barred rock roo temperament.

None of my hens are very dominant at all, except for my ISA Brown hen, she's the top hens and even she isn't aggressive. Plus she is very old, so sadly she likely wont live too much longer.

 

[angc11]

A 7:1 ratio is good, usually the recommendation is 8:1. I'm not a rooster expert but I have raised quite a few cockerels and in my opinion it all comes down to individual rooster temperament and/or how they've been handled. Breed can help, but it's not a guarantee especially if they are cross breeds like this little guy is. Silkies can be sweet, but I've also heard of mean Silkie roosters. Cockerels can also go through temperament changes when their hormones kick in so it's hard to say what he'll be like at 6 months if he hasn't hit "puberty" yet. It's good that you have older hens though, they will ideally help to keep him line if he gets rowdy.

I've never added a new cockerel to my flock so I can't say how it will initially affect flock dynamics for your girls. I'm sure there'll be an adjustment period as he learns what his role is in the flock. But if he ends up being a good rooster, I think it always benefits the flock. He will ideally tidbit for the hens, keep an eye out for predators, escort hens after they're done laying, etc. Any time I look out my window, I see all my hens with their heads down finding bugs while both my roosters stand guard watching for predators. It feels like my hens can relax more when they free range because of my roos.

 

[Mrs. K]

Often times it changes the dynamics between you and the hen. Now they look to you. After adding the rooster, they will look to him. Mind tends to move the girls away from me, no in a panic, but just casually giving me about 5 feet of space. Some people don't like that.

As for the rooster - well maybe. Thing is what can you do if it doesn't. Can you cull a rooster if he is aggressive? A sharp knife is the best way to get a good rooster, meaning that you don't keep a rotten rooster. People often ask for advice on raising a perfect rooster, but really people have almost no influence on cockerels, they are either fantastic, fair or rotten.

Mrs K

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If you are new to chickens I would advise waiting until your hens - sorry, pullets - are older before adding a cockerel. This 4 mo old cockerel is going to hit puberty very soon if he hasn't already, and your pullets are going to be at a loss as to how to deal with him. It could get ugly if he chases them relentlessly and forces his attentions on them. However, if you wait until they are older and laying, and then get a much younger cockerel and let them raise him, they could do an excellent job of teaching him manners and making a gentleman out of him - at least, as far as they are concerned. There is no guarantee of good behavior toward you or other humans, however. As Mrs K indicated, where roosters are concerned ... it's always a gamble. The good news is, even the bad ones are delicious.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I am still looking around for a good rooster, and I found a 3mo California Star. I don't know the breed. Thoughts? The seller says he is very sweet and is handled by humans every day - I know he is young still, but that's a good sign at least.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

If I were in your shoes I would find an older rooster, not a younger one. The teenage cockerel phase is rough. Why not skip it and get a full grown rooster who is a known gentleman?

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

If I were in your shoes I would find an older rooster, not a younger one. The teenage cockerel phase is rough. Why not skip it and get a full grown rooster who is a known gentleman?

The hard part is finding one.... Most people get rid of theirs roosters as soon as they find out its a male, so most are young. What is the "teenage cockerel" phase like?

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

The hard part is finding one.... Most people get rid of theirs roosters as soon as they find out its a male, so most are young. What is the "teenage cockerel" phase like?

I know but in my case it was worth the wait. I don’t know my last one just got started and he was a jerk so off he went! My mom usually gets all my boys around that time and she says they’re not very nice to the hens during that phase. Im sure someone else here knows more about it than I do.