To Rooster or not to Rooster?

[Magda12]

I have ten girls. They're about 22 weeks. They get along wonderfully. My priest and his wife are looking to get rid of a rooster. I would eventually like to get a rooster to hatch my own chicks, however I am not going to be looking to hatch any for at least 3 years (when egg production starts winding down) and I am still relatively new to "chickening".

So the question here is, would it be better for my girls if I got a rooster roughly the same age now or if I wait three years and get a young rooster when I am actually ready to hatch.

If it's better to get one now, what are the concerns/considerations of adding a Harry or Ron (or maybe Neville) to my flock?

 

[Folly's place]

Wait!
If you don't want one for a couple of years, don't start now. Actually, raising some cockerels in spring would be good, so you can get experience, and have hens help raise them.
Consider your goals; what kind of birds do you want to raise? Is this a mature rooster, or a cockerel? Does he fit into your plans for your flock? Healthy? Nice personality?
From a biosecurity standpoint, getting chicks only from safe sources is best, rather than another flock.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

The right roosters are great to have, and there's that 'learning curve' as you figure out how to keep the good ones and eliminate the bad boys.
Mary

 

[3KillerBs]

I like the advice to have hens only for the first year unless you have specific goals that involve having a rooster from the start.

In fact, I just gave that advice to a couple that I sold hens to last night -- I suggested waiting until at least spring while they learn how to deal with chickens and figure out what they want out of a rooster.

I *could* have talked them into taking one of my 9-week-old boys, but it wouldn't have been a good idea -- especially since they had young children.

There are always roosters available -- often for free.

Also, if you're happy with just hens you can buy female chicks when you're ready to expand/replace your flock.

 

[Magda12]

Wait!
If you don't want one for a couple of years, don't start now. Actually, raising some cockerels in spring would be good, so you can get experience, and have hens help raise them.
Consider your goals; what kind of birds do you want to raise? Is this a mature rooster, or a cockerel? Does he fit into your plans for your flock? Healthy? Nice personality?
From a biosecurity standpoint, getting chicks only from safe sources is best, rather than another flock.
Mary

Its a healthy flock and I would quarantine him if I did take him, I would also intro slowly. He's probably a couple weeks younger than my girls. I'm told he's well tempered and easy to deal with. I don't really care what kind of chickens, right now I have 7 EEs and 3 various green/olive egger hybrids. He's probably an EE or whatever else is generally available at Tractor Supply. Again, I am not really concerned with having a specific breed or anything, just the ability to make more chickens if I choose to.

I actually like the idea of raising a cockerel
from a baby, buti only have 10 girls so I can only have one rooster. I have no plans to build a bigger coop (or another coop) so I wouldn't want to get an entire new batch of chicks. Maybe I will wait until I cull this flock after they finish laying, and find a way to get 9 pullets and a cockerel next time. My only concern is that they won't be available in 3-5 years. I like to have the ability to keep myself sustained in the event of "shortages".

 

[3KillerBs]

My only concern is that they won't be available in 3-5 years. I like to have the ability to keep myself sustained in the event of "shortages".

Since 50% of chickens that hatch are male and people only want about 1 male for every 10-ish girls -- with a lot of people not wanting any at all -- there is unlikely to be a shortage of cull cockerels in need of new homes.

 

[Magda12]

Since 50% of chickens that hatch are male and people only want about 1 male for every 10-ish girls -- with a lot of people not wanting any at all -- there is unlikely to be a shortage of cull cockerels in need of new homes.

So, basically, wait until I am ready to hatch chicks? I'm fine with that, I just want to make sure there's not an advantage to getting him sooner rather than later. I honestly would hate to disrupt the peace within the flock right now, they really do get along splendidly.

 

[Magda12]

So, basically, wait until I am ready to hatch chicks? I'm fine with that, I just want to make sure there's not an advantage to getting him sooner rather than later. I honestly would hate to disrupt the peace within the flock right now, they really do get along splendidly.

Also, I agree that it should be totally easy to get a rooster at any point. I'm more worried about the ability to buy multiple chicks from like tractor supply or hatcheries. Earlier this year, people were already having a hard time getting chicks.

 

[3KillerBs]

So, basically, wait until I am ready to hatch chicks? I'm fine with that, I just want to make sure there's not an advantage to getting him sooner rather than later. I honestly would hate to disrupt the peace within the flock right now, they really do get along splendidly.

*Personally* I love having a rooster -- but it's not for everyone. They can cause a lot of drama.

Shortages of commercial chicks tend to be seasonal and are more of a problem in the farm store than if you were to order directly from a hatchery.

 

[Magda12]

*Personally* I love having a rooster -- but it's not for everyone. They can cause a lot of drama.

Shortages of commercial chicks tend to be seasonal and are more of a problem in the farm store than if you were to order directly from a hatchery.

It's more of a current events issue. There is a lot of talk with doing away with meat eating, including keeping "livestock". Lots of people have already had their flocks culled due to various "reasons". Just trying to hedge against these things in the future.