Ups of roos?

[Nats Chickens]

I need to convince dad to let me get a rooster! What are the upsides of a rooster?

 

[Abriana]

Some roosters are cowards and others are great, but attack people, but some protect but don't attack people. Unless you get a pre-owned adult it's hard to tell what personality you will get. My rooster Napoleon will fight off hawks (he's done it multiple times) but he will attack people, and I am the only one able to safely handle him. He's very selfless, never eats treats (always clucks for the ladies), and is alert and always watching the sky. He did give the danger signal for a butterfly once, but better safe than sorry! Roosters can be wonderful, or freeloaders. It all depends.

 

[Alexandra33]

In my experience, roosters are little more than eye candy and novelty. I envy those whose roos actually protect the flock, rather than hide in a cowardly fashion.

After owning a large number of males, I've come to the conclusion that they are here just to bring us joy with their striking plumage/classic crows, plus ensure the ladies eat first before taking a bite for themselves (if the gentlemanly type ).

~Alex

 

[keesmom]

They're more colorful than hens and you'll have fertile eggs. Those are really the only guarantees.

 

[chickenpeeple]

Make sure you get a roo that is a calm breed. it will probably be nicer but there are exceptions with every breed. Orpingtons, Brahmas, and Cochins are some pretty calm breeds but there are a lot more than just these. Good Luck with your dad!

 

[meetthebubus]

Well the great things about roosters is...

1.Protect the hens this includes:
Predators and from themselves as they do not allow fights between the hens
They watch more land and air predators so the girls can concentrate on eating, etc.

2. Search for food and treats constantly

3. Helps them lay eggs by:
Finding a good spot
Making a good spot more comfy
Bringing them back from the nest
Guarding a nervous layer and sing soothing sounds

4. They can be just as fun and sweet as a hen

5. My roosters will dig a bath for the girls sometimes.
I've even seen a hen go back and get the rooster to dig some more as his first effort wasn't satisfactory to her lol

6. Can fertilize eggs to keep your flock going in the future

7. I have a rooster that by their cries I can tell if something is really wrong
Once I was alerted to a snake in the run by the rooster, and once they fought off two Rottweilers through the fencing


Here are some vids of my roosters showing a bit how they participate in flock life

 

[aart]

Poor Dad.

 

[kwhites634]

I need to convince dad to let me get a rooster! What are the upsides of a rooster?

Fertile eggs
Protecting free ranging hens

 

[HuffleClaw]

Poor Dad.

X2 he’s being convinced to almost every type of pet

 

[Mrs. K]

A rooster needs more space, and really needs several hens, at least a dozen. And if you have your coop close to your house, or close to a neighbor, well the crowing can get dang old. A rooster can cause a lot of problems.

But I like having a rooster, but as stated up above, not all roosters are great ones. As you approach the set up, he should be the first one to notice you. He should be checking the area, fairly often. He should give you space. Until he is a year old, he is not much good in flock management, or predator awareness. However, I live in a very remote area, and with a good rooster, I do not tend to loose birds durning the daytime.

If you get rooster, you need to (IMO) be able to cull him, some roosters can become dangerous, they are kind of a crap shoot. If you don't think you could, it would be better to just stay with hens.

I like having a single rooster with my 13 girls. I just got a new one, not quite 6 months old... so far, he is roosting on the bench, the older girls are not letting him roost on the roost...but he will eventually. I do like a rooster that is raised up in a multi-generational flock, I think you get nicer roosters.

good luck,
MRs K