to get a rooster or not?

[Ridgerunner]

I agree there is no difference in taste or nutrition with a fertile egg. If that is why you are thinking about getting one, don't bother. The only difference is if you store a fertile egg at or near incubation temperatures, it can develop and you can get a surprise when you crack the egg. But it you store a non-fertile egg at or near incubation temperatures any baceria that make their way inside will multiply like crazy. So don't store eggs in warm temperatures, fertile or unfertile.

 

[aggie9296]

I will NEVER have a rooster. Unfertile eggs are perfectly fine. Unless you want to hatch them. Then you can just buy them fertile. Roosters can crow a lot and loud and at all hours of the day and night. Some worse than others. Make sure you have no local rules about roosters as they are not always allowed. Even in the county, if you have close neighbors, could be a problem with the sound. We always had roosters as a kid and I hated them. They were always so aggressive and those spurs hurt. Plenty of flocks do just fine with no rooster to "protect" them.

 

[tigtoy]

you have all the pros and cons and i hope you can decide what's best for you.

 

[EELover]

Your hens will start laying faster if you have a rooster. Keep him in check and it should be fine. They start laying faster because they jump on the hen and the hen's body will mature faster. Mine started laying at 22 weeks and my friend who had no roosters started laying at 36 weeks. I had 9 roosters and got rid of 4 of my aggressive ones. They were delicious! My other ones are only aggressive toward each other (its not too bad and they don't hurt each other). My 3 year old helps me feed my chickens everyday. This morning she started crying because a HEN bit her. I wouldn't worry about it. Roosters can be nice too as long as you handle them correctly.

 

[Bi0s]

all a matter of perfrence and opinion realy but i like roosters alot and will always have at least one

 

[cafarmgirl]

You mentioned neighbors, is crowing going to be a problem where you live?

Other then that it's really personal choice. While roosters have their good points, for myself I find them a pain in the butt more then anything else. My roo is pretty darn decent with me but it took some work to get him to be respectful and I will never trust him to turn my back on him. I really agree with the post that said if you have, or will have, small children around nix the rooster idea. The two just shouldn't mix. Chicken's have tiny brains and it only takes a second for a roo to get the idea that he needs to protect a hen and suddenly you've got a child with a face full of rooster using claws and spurs. It's just not worth the risk.

Unless you have a lot of hens there are always going to be one or two favorites of his that end up having to wear chicken saddles because of damage from the roosters spurs. And that's another thing, it's a lot easier on your hens if you keep those spurs trimmed one way or another and it's not always easy for someone new to chickens to catch and hold a mature roo to get the job done.

Like somebody else mentioned too, when you buy those 8 or so "pullets" you may well end up with a roo in the mix anyway. Pretty common and that's how I ended up with mine.