To rooster or not to rooster, that is the question

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sylviethecochin said:
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.
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Thank you so much for all your advice! Its greatly appreciated. I think I'll probably just stick to the hens. I do have 2 Australian cattle dogs that are REALLY good at keeping predators away. So hopefully they will help take care of my girls. :D
 
Erikalpowers said:
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! :he Thoughts?
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I always love having a roosters.
 
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