to rooster or not to rooster, that is the question.

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hey all Fellow chicken Lovers,

I am starting my first flock of chicken on friday when I order my chicks, which leads my to some questions.

1. I am ordering columbian wyandotte, delaware, and buff orphingtons (all pullets), will these breeds get along well?
2. I have a lot of land and do plan on letting them free range, so do I need a rooster and if I so which breed is best?

Thanks

 

[LarryPQ]

1- Those who brood together, hang in the hood together. The chickens won't be able to tell each other apart by breed.
2- You don't need a rooster if you are free-ranging, but they are nice to have around. It does't matter which one you get--since all the breeds you listed are similar in temperment. At this point, any differences between the roos would be individual personalities, not something specifically related to breed. Delewares, Orps, Wyandottes are all pretty amicable breeds.

 

[lleighmay]

I never thought I'd say it but I like having a roo around. I was adamantly against it since I'd had bad experiences with them when younger but I got an accidental SLW roo in my first batch of chicks. He was a total gentleman who sacrificed himself saving his hens from a stray dog. The next accidental roo I got was a jerk; he was just starting to settle down when he evidently broke his neck flying around in the coop. My current rooster is a mix of who knows what I got from a friend; he takes good care of the hens, keeps a close watch for danger, and makes sure he's the last one in the coop at night after he's rounded up the girls. I've decided I won't be without one any more- the hens seem happier with one around (at least to me) and I like knowing there's an extra measure of vigilance. Plus they're pretty and I love to hear them crow

 

[Ridgerunner]

Will those breeds get along? Probably very well. Each chicken has its own personality and you are dealing with living animals, so anything can happen, but I would not worry with that combination. It is no worse than any other and is better than some.

You may notice that when they are free ranging or on the roost, that they tend to hang out in groups of similar color. The common thought on this forum is that they do that because of color. I think it is more that each breed tends to have its own personality traits and they hang because of similar personality traits. In either case, that is not a sign of them not getting along. They should get along well.

You need a rooster if you want to hatch the eggs. Otherwise you don't NEED a rooster. There are plenty of reasons to have a rooster or to not have a rooster, but it is pure personal preference. You will find many people on this forum that would not dream of having a free ranging flock without a rooster, yet there are others that are very happy with a free ranging flock and no rooster. I have a rooster with mine and he is pretty worthless as a flock protector, but until I can raise another one, I need him for fertile eggs.

If you do decide on a rooster, any of those breeds you mentioned would do fine. Again, it depends on their individual personality. You may get a good one and you may not.

 

[Judy]

I agree with everything lleighmay said. I lost my last one to a coyote, but he saved most of my flock in giving his life; he was a mutt of some sort. Waiting for my 2 month olds to grow up. Had a broody hatch 7/7 eggs -- six are cockerels, which I'm actually glad of. I listen for the nieghbor's crows now, waiting for mine to start.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hi All,

Thank you so much for your responces, I am still not sure if I am going to get a rooster.
The experiences I have had with rooster is not positive but as lleighmay posted their
history with rooster is similar and now they like having a rooster around. I will
keep thinking about it, it was good to get some other opinion in helping to make
the decision.

Thanks Again!!

 

[NHchicks]

Having just lost my one and only rooster to illness, and there were 9 hens but now there are 8, I have really grown to appreciate a good rooster. But you have to get one that is good to the hens and not a terror to anyone. I think they like the security of having someone watch out for them, find food for them (even if it's food you put in their feeder - he'll still brag like he found it for them!), keep order among the meanie hens, and watch them scratch. Plus, it really is nice to have fertilized eggs and grow your flock, especially because they can succumb to all sorts of mortality issues, and it's also nice to have young flocks replacing the older ones.

The one downer is they crow all the time. That can irritate the neighbors if you have any, and wake you up on a perfectly good Saturday morning sleep-in.

 

[The Funky Chicken Dunce]

I love having roos around, and I wouldn't be without them. The majority of mine have been sweethearts. It's just up to what you want really.