What's the value of a Rooster?

[HousyRunner]

I started out with six chicks of which one turned out to be a rooster (all Rhode Island Reds). The rooster got to riding the hens pretty hard, so that that their shoulders got raw (they also squawked a lot and ran away from him in the morning when he tried to chase them down). Rooster also intimidated our cats, never outright attacked them but gave them the evil eye and sidled after them until they retreated. So what's the value of keeping a rooster around? I'm not planning to get chicks from my hens, so I don't need fertilized eggs. I've also heard that the rooster keeps the hens in line (he recently came to an unfortunate demise and the hens seem to be doing fine without him). And I've read that a rooster can provide a line of defense against predators. Well, we have a dog that keeps away the predators--when she's out--and gets along fine with the chickens (we had a coyote come right up to the porch and take a chicken in broad daylight when the dog was in). Last, my daughter liked the rooster and he allowed her to pick him up and hold him. I'm soon due to get new straight-run chicks, but the odds suggest I may get another rooster. What would be the reasons to keep him?

 

[scratch'n'peck]

You certainly don't need a rooster with a well behaved dog around for protection. They can be a good warning for predators though.

My roosters have turned out nicer than the one you had, so I just kept them around because I like them and they are fun to watch with the hens.

 

[cafarmgirl]

Actually with an order of straight run chicks your chances of getting several roosters is high.

You only *need* a rooster if you want a rooster. I've had flocks of hens that never had a roo and did just fine. In flocks that had a roo and then suddenly didn't for whatever reason, there is a shake up in the pecking order for a bit but they settle in after a while. A good rooster will keep an eye out for predators and give warning to the hens, hopefully giving them time to hide away. In free ranging flocks this sometimes means the end of the rooster if he stands up to a predator to save his hens. I view a rooster as a warning system only, he can be killed easily by a dog or coyote or any number of other hungry predators.

So if you really want a roo around then you should keep one but it's by no means a necessity. And actually, if you have a child who is enjoying being around the chickens then I'd go with no rooster. To many roosters morph into mean, nasty things when the hormones hit and are not a good fit with children at all.

 

[SonSet Farm]

I find my hens are better behaved and fight less if I have a rooster. He also keeps them together and close to the coop. They seem to wonder a lot more when we are without a rooster. I love watching a rooster with his girls! That being said, he has to be nice. No mean roosters at my house!!