Hi everone! My first post and my first journey with chickens! I purchased 9 day-old layer chicks from a hatchery and got what appears to be an unexpected rooster in the mix. They are all 16 weeks old and the cock-a-doodle-doing seems to be the validator! It is coming from the Dominique. Anyhow two questions: 1. How can I tell if he/she is a rooster? I ask because when I googled this question, some info states that a hen can put herself in the lead position and even begin to crow! 2. Most importantly, if it is a rooster he's not aggressive (maybe it is too soon?) and I was thinking of keeping him. Egg production is important so I would like to know if a rooster increases or decreases the production rate. They have a coop and a run. The run is about 6' x 12' and I let them free range for a couple hours most everyday. Thanks for your responses!
First of all! Second, a rooster will not affect laying at all. I have two roosters. One is in with about 5 hens and 3 chicks, and the other is in with 8 hens, 13 ducks and a goose lol. My birds are going through molt right now so I am lucky to get one egg from my big girls a day. The other pen has little White with black tip Japonese bantams in it and I have two hens sitting on eggs right now in there. I am trying to increase my flock. Which is one bonus of having a rooster. But, as long as you collect the eggs every day you will never notice a difference between fertile eggs and UN fertile eggs. I have never had a hen crow before so I really can't comment on that question. Enjoy your flock! If you can post a pic we might be able to tell by looking at the chicken and tell you if it is a hen/rooster . Again, WELCOME, stay a while and learn a lot!
Most hens who crow are older ladies who have assumed the lead hen position in a flock without a roo. ( I had a barred rock older girl start to crow at 3 years old) She was quite cute I bet yours is a roo. It is definitely a personal choice on owning a roo. I would give him a chance, since he is behaving You shouldnt have a decrease in eggs
Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan While you do not need a rooster for egg production, they are nice to have around if you free range your birds at all - they will watch over the hens, keep them together better, and keep an eye out for predators. Plus, some of us actually like to hear a rooster crow. As long as he does not become aggressive, you may want to keep him around.
Actually you need 4 square. feet per bird in a coop and 10 square. feet per bird in a run, unless you plan to yet them free range part of each day. When you find yourself with a full chicken obsession you will want to add more and more to the flock. It's always best to build larger than you think you will need. Believe me, build it and they will come.