To get a Rooster or Not to get a Rooster...

[krowl]

We have moved and now have a larger flock...and now have the option to have a Rooster...what are everyone's thoughts on having a Rooster...the crowing does not bother me, but looking for everyones' pros and cons...

 

[Folly's place]

Yes!
As long as you are willing to eliminate any jerks that arrive, and only keep good ones!
I like to raise straight run chicks and keep cockerels from that group, and then sort them down to the keepers.
Mary

 

[krowl]

Yes!
As long as you are willing to eliminate any jerks that arrive, and only keep good ones!
I like to raise straight run chicks and keep cockerels from that group, and then sort them down to the keepers.
Mary

In all honesty, I think I would have a tough time eliminating the "jerks"...is it plausible to get a Rooster from someone else that is already mature and introduce to the flock successfully? Or could the flock change the roosters personality?
Also, What are you reasons for suggesting a Rooster? I've heard of others talking about Roosters causing injury to their hens, is this common? <--clearly know minimal info on roosters.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

In all honesty, I think I would have a tough time eliminating the "jerks"...is it plausible to get a Rooster from someone else that is already mature and introduce to the flock successfully? Or could the flock change the roosters personality?
Also, What are you reasons for suggesting a Rooster? I've heard of others talking about Roosters causing injury to their hens, is this common? <--clearly know minimal info on roosters.

It all depends on the individual rooster. Getting a rooster from someone else that is 2+ years old is usually best, because then you'll have an idea of the rooster's personality.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

How many hens do you have? If I had fewer than 8, I do not think I would get a rooster due to the possibility of overbreeding. And I don't think I would get a cockerel (young male under a year old). They go through a hormone surge starting at about 4 months and can kinda go nuts with the breeding. If you can get an older, seasoned rooster, that would be ideal. Good luck!

 

[Folly's place]

The advantage in raising your own chicks from safe hatcheries is all about biosecurity, and not introducing an awful disease into your flock, from another flock. People do it all the time, some with no problems, and some with a disease that kills all their birds.
I do eat chicken, and so am good with either selling extra cockerels who are nice, or putting especially bad boys in the freezer. They've had a nice life until that one bad moment, unlike grocery store chickens.
Roosters are individuals, so any breed will have all sorts, but some breeds tend to have more sweethearts than others. Ask!
Raising them has an impact on behavior too, it's a bit of both, although your hens will assist in raising cockerels too.
Mary

 

[krowl]

How many hens do you have? If I had fewer than 8, I do not think I would get a rooster due to the possibility of overbreeding. And I don't think I would get a cockerel (young male under a year old). They go through a hormone surge starting at about 4 months and can kinda go nuts with the breeding. If you can get an older, seasoned rooster, that would be ideal. Good luck!

18 hens currently...thank you for the information!!!

 

[krowl]

The advantage in raising your own chicks from safe hatcheries is all about biosecurity, and not introducing an awful disease into your flock, from another flock. People do it all the time, some with no problems, and some with a disease that kills all their birds.
I do eat chicken, and so am good with either selling extra cockerels who are nice, or putting especially bad boys in the freezer. They've had a nice life until that one bad moment, unlike grocery store chickens.
Roosters are individuals, so any breed will have all sorts, but some breeds tend to have more sweethearts than others. Ask!
Raising them has an impact on behavior too, it's a bit of both, although your hens will assist in raising cockerels too.
Mary

Really good information, and you have a good point regarding the Roosters...I eat chicken too... I just think I would have a tough time getting the chicken from the coop to the freezer

 

[aart]

I just think I would have a tough time getting the chicken from the coop to the freezer

Really going to need to get over that if you want to hatch chicks.

Why do you want a male bird?
The only real reason is to hatch out more chickens.
Everything else is just personal preference.

 

[LizzzyJo]

I agree with your idea of getting an older bird. Sometimes there are bad boys no matter how you treat them. You will have to rid your home of some if you get them as babies. Go for the older guys who are known to be sweet. Bio security is an issue, but better than culling if you don’t want to cull.

However, if you are avoidant or culling you should have a clear idea of how to get rid of all of that roosters baby boys in the future. The main reason for Roos is baby making. All of the other reasons sort of fade away with the novelty of Roos. In my opinion.