To get a Rooster or not get a Rooster?

[redstars]

Thanks Gritsar.
That gives me endless possibilities. When I get a roo and I have him quarantined Someone said to
Deworm him and check for lice. Is there anything else I should look for both before and after I get him Other than the obvious.

 

[AmeraucanaMama]

I bought an Ameraucana roo for my hens about 2 years ago and we ended up having to separate him from the flock after one summer. He was overly aggressive with the girls and they ended up with bare backs by fall. I think part of the problem was they were confined in a coop with a large run and the more docile hens really couldn't get away from his advances easily. With cold weather approaching it was either build him his own coop or get rid of him. I couldn't bear to see him gone, Rico is one of the most handsome roo's I've ever seen. I had already saved him from a trip to the butcher from his former owner after he won the blue ribbon at our county fair! My husband improvised and built him a coop that is attached to the run for the rest of my flock. Rico can see the girls at all times however chicken wire separates him from them inside and out. It seems to be working well he's happy and my hens grew back all their feathers! You cannot believe the number of people who think I'm crazy to have gone to the added expense of building him his own bachelor pad but I love to hear him crow in the morning so it was worth it!

 

[redstars]

Quote:
Do you have any pics of him?

 

[briana1975]

When and if you decide to get a rooster be prepared to maybe go through more than one. We had one that was intent on killing the turkeys, no matter what we did. He was made into soup. We now have a good silkie roo and a great Buff Orp roo, and 2 EE roos who are ok with people but are way to aggressive with the hens and pullets. They will also become dinner soon.

 

[LeghornLisa]

If you free range, then I would get a roo to protect the girls. If you don't, I wouldn't bother....it would only stress out the girls to be trapped in with the big boy. I happen to love rooster but had to re-home mine. He was hurting the girls, I don't free range and the girls were stressed. He also made me bleed and couldn't keep him with 2 small kids. Good luck!

 

[gritsar]

Redstars, my vote is that you find yourself a nice buff brahma bantam roo.

 

[GlitterKitty]

I love my roosters and would always have one

Shadow my old Sumatra, fought off a hawk when it dived down to snatch him up!

 

[tophatsRcool]

some rooster's can be mean and chase you so be careful when picking

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Builds a great point. I've gone through about 16 roosters in the last 2 and 1/2 years and have only had 2 that I've actually been fond of. I've had some that attacked people, hen-aggressive ones, and ones that went after each other.l It does take more than one try, sometimes, to find the right boy. A simple definition of what you're looking for is: one that does not hurt you or anyone else, allows you to handle hens without making any threatening movements, and generally, gentle with hens. Started off getting rid of 4, who were attacking each other and hens. Then we relieved ourselves of 7 more for the same reason. When my favorite roo died, I had to deal with 3 unruley demons (started off nice, but progressed further). The first attacked my younger brother, and was sent to death at a neighbor's hand. And the last two went to a friend's property to free-range elsewhere. One of which was not so cowardly, and attacked me full in the legs, not only with my father and stranger watching, but I was facing him, and didn't even turn my back! My current boy I won at that state fair this past summer, and although I had my doubts, from experience, he turned out to be great.

Redstars, it might take a while going through roosters, and it might be hard to bare, even a little painful at times. But don't settle for anything less than what you want. Too many good roosters are butchered and too many nice ones are kept in great homes that they are not worthy of. I spent a few years not understanding that. Remember this at least: sometimes the best roosters find you.

 

[redstars]

Quote:
Gritsar, I think that might be a good idea for a first roo. If he gets out of line I can just step on him.

I found a couple of pics they are cool looking. I am looking for more pics now.