To rooster or not to rooster, that is the question

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome! Glad that you joined! Not all rooster's are mean. You don't really need a rooster unless you want to have fertile egg's for hatching. Since you plan to free range in/on a wooded lot or land, just because you have one rooster doesn't mean that your hen's can't be taken by predator's. Some predator's travel in pair's or even pack's and could overwhelm a whole flock. A rooster can only be in one place at a time.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Wonderful advice has been given! Also I will add that hens are much more comfortable without a roo around bothering them to mate.

What ever you decide, enjoy your flock and welcome to ours!

 

[nuthatched]

Welcome!
I like roosters, I wish I could have one! If one turns mean, you name him Stew and move to the next roo.
I had the biggest sweetheart barred rock roo when I was young, he won prizes too.

 

[featherhead007]

Welcome, glad you dropped in. My peep on the situation, is also no roos is good news, You must decide, roosters by nature are somewhat more aggressive than hens. Just don't do as I did, and learn the hard way.

 

[Isaac 0]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
I agree that waiting until next year would be a good idea. Raise some chicks next spring, and let your hens teach the cockerels some manners, and see if one of the boys appeals to you then.
Salmon Favorelles tend to be very mellow, BTW.
Roosters are part of what makes the flock complete, but it must be the right one, not an attack bird!
I've lost hens and roosters both to predators; having one won't save your birds very often, except to sound the alert, and hens do that too.
Plan to have a coop and safe run large enough for the times when your flock is locked in for weeks, because there will be times when that has to happen. Then, free range time is a bonus!
Mary

 

[DobieLover]

Salmon Favorelles tend to be very mellow, BTW.

Not this guy.

Breed members do not always conform to what's considered "usual'.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - I agree - wait on the rooster until you have more experience.

Not this guy.
View attachment 2050902
Breed members do not always conform to what's considered "usual'.

Look at that evil eye. Truly the spawn of Satan, but he sure is pretty.

 

[Erikalpowers]

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.

Ok great!!! I definitely don't want to bite off more than I can chew!!! I know dogs not birds! I have been reading books and things online and have friends with chickens so I'm doing my research. So glad I found this community for help with my girls! Thank you!!!

 

[Erikalpowers]

Welcome!
I like roosters, I wish I could have one! If one turns mean, you name him Stew and move to the next roo.
I had the biggest sweetheart barred rock roo when I was young, he won prizes too.

"Stew"