To rooster or not to rooster, that is the question

[Erikalpowers]

Hi friends! So I'm new to this chicken thing and i have been going back and forth about whether to get a rooster or not. We live in upstate New York on 16 acres of wooded land, with about 3.5 acres cleared for house & lawn etc. We are planning on free-ranging but we will have to make a run so they have a spot in the winters. I have been on the fence about getting a rooster but I've heard horror stories about mean roosters attacking people and the hens. But.... in their defense I know they are good protectors! Thoughts?

 

[sylviethecochin]

Roosters are good at sounding alarms. Very few of them are good protectors, though there are exceptions.

Attacking people is common, but most roosters don't. I'd avoid hormonal production breeds such as any type of production red (ISAs, Production Reds, Red Stars), and hatchery Barred Rocks (There are people who say that no breed of rooster is more aggressive than any another breed. My experience is the opposite).

Some roosters are naturally better with hens than other roosters, too.

If you're inexperienced with chickens, I wouldn't recommend raising a boy from a chick. They tend to do better when raised around other roosters, and by experienced chicken keepers.

If you do get a rooster, I'd get an adult rooster from someone who hatches out chicks and raises them, and is maybe looking to retire a flock rooster, or has a promising cockerel.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hi and welcome to BYC! It's nice to meet you!
Roosters can be an awesome addition to your flock... but they can also prove to be VERY challenging if you don't have a lot of experience with chickens. I think my advice would be to wait a bit before you get one.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUN-omenal Flock!
I hope you enjoy BYC as much as we do!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I have 2 roosters. One is great. One is the spawn of Satan to me only. His male offspring, raised by the rest of the flock, are awesome and went on to be human friendly flock leaders. One of his sons fought off a hawk.
I highly recommend you start off with just females until you gain some experience with chickens in general and then acquire a multigenerational raised rooster for your flock.
You are in Upstate NY as am I. I may have one for you when the time comes.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hello and welcome to BYC. I believe @sylviethecochin has given you great advice. The more you understand chicken behaviour, the better equipped you will be to keep a rooster.

 

[N F C]

Ditto on what the other greeters have advised...wait a while and get more experience before adding a boy to your flock.

Best wishes!

 

[KiwiandPeachthePigeons]

If I hear any of my roosters sound the alarm, I’m outside in a flash. They only sound the alarm if something is truly wrong. Yesterday a dog had one of my roos and the only reason I got to him so fast is because a rooster nearby sounded the alarm.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens opinions are like ******** Start with pullets if you buy from feed store or hatchery you are able to have sexed birds.. After several losses you may want a rooster
Raise it from a chick if you can.. many articles here about cockerel to rooster ... cockerel under a year Rooster over a year

 

[drumstick diva]

I agree with penny. But I also think you can't expect miracles from a rooster. If he truly defends your flock, he may loose his life as a result. Then your hens are defenseless anyway.