To have rooster or not to have rooster ?

[Falstaff]

I have just got a rooster from a friend. My hens are about 14 weeks old he is slightly older. I know it is not necessary to have rooster to get eggs. The hens at this point and me also really dont care for him. Will the hens be better in the long run to have the rooster around.

 

[thornwing]

The hens will feel more protected and less skittish, and if they are ever in danger, roosters usually sarcrifice their safety for the hens'. Plus if they aren't mean, they are fun to have around :]

 

[thornwing]

and if u ever plan on hatching chicks from your eggs, they have to be fertilized by someone!!

 

[gryeyes]

Maybe, maybe not.

I like roosters, but I've been lucky never getting one I didn't like. (I'm really quite new at this....) I like how the rooster sounds, how he breaks up squabbles, protects the girls, and how he looks.

But if YOU don't like this rooster, why have him?

 

[stoo]

I love roosters. They will (as posted above) sacrifice their life for the hens. They let the hen eat first. Fertile eggs. Morning crow. Silly antics...the list goes on. Give him a chance. They all need some time to adjust.

 

[33yardbirds]

I wouldn't be without a rooster. They accent the breed even if they are a mutt. The ones I have now patrol the perimeter of the flock and one runs to every squawk. I have no doubt they will put themselves between a threat and the hens.

 

[bigchicken2]

Everyone should have roosters!

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

That is one of the many reasons I recently acquired a roo... I feel my flock would be better protected when free-ranging... even if only from a chipmunk!

 

[Kittymomma]

How many hens do you have? I love my roos, but wouldn't have one if I lived in an area where I could only have 4-5 hens. If you have too few hens (7-10) per roo they will often over-mate them and the hens will lose the feathers off of their backs. I know some people have been ok with only a few hens to a roo and you can get saddles or aprons to put on your hens if it's a problem, but too few hens per roo has never worked well for me.

 

[akpeeps]

I didn't think I'd like having a rooster but ended up being given one as a 3 day old chick. I LOVED that rooster. He was a hoot to have around. Such a character and very personable. Followed me all over when I was outside and would come to the back door and scream when it was feeding time. Scooter was killed last Sunday protecting his girls and I really miss him.

There has been a definite change in the hens behavior in the last few days too. They seem a little lost and much more reserved and quiet than they used to be. They haven't wandered very far from the coop area since Sunday either. They didn't like him when I first put him in with them and would beat the snot out of him until he got bigger than them.
Your girls will get used to him. Have you been handling him at all or feeding treats?
I have one BBS Orp egg in lockdown and this is the first time I'm praying for a boy.