which rooster do we keep?

[lastco]

Oh, wow! I see what you mean! Yes, I'd definitely keep that one out of the running.

 

[The Angry Hen]

I agree!

 

[Egghead_Jr]

It looks identical except lacking the barring. Actually looks larger not bantam size. But yeah, don't use him for breeding. The point of legbars is auto sexing. Well, that and blue eggs but the real purpose was sexing at hatch. That boy will mess up your future flock. Get rid of him.

 

[willisfarm]

Thank you!!!!

 

[Mrs. K]

I will go the other way. I would recommend only keeping one rooster. If this is your first year, I would dispatch all three. Roosters take a little experience, and with that little girl, roosters tend to attack children first. In about another 3 weeks, this board is going to light up with posts about the darling rooster turning into a demon in a heartbeat.

Until you get some experience, it can be easy to overlook the warning signs. Some rooster become people aggressive. A small child can be violently attacked, and roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of kids.

One has years to enjoy this hobby, and all the many aspects of it, no need to rush into roosters. If you are more experience, I apologize for unwanted advice. However, I would only keep 1, a couple of roosters, especially young randy roosters can nearly wear your hens out, to the point of loss of egg production. And brothers, sometimes live peacefully and sometimes fight to the death.
Mrs K

 

[Makayla200]

Chickens free-range?

 

[Makayla200]

I will go the other way. I would recommend only keeping one rooster. If this is your first year, I would dispatch all three. Roosters take a little experience, and with that little girl, roosters tend to attack children first. In about another 3 weeks, this board is going to light up with posts about the darling rooster turning into a demon in a heartbeat.

Until you get some experience, it can be easy to overlook the warning signs. Some rooster become people aggressive. A small child can be violently attacked, and roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of kids.

One has years to enjoy this hobby, and all the many aspects of it, no need to rush into roosters. If you are more experience, I apologize for unwanted advice. However, I would only keep 1, a couple of roosters, especially young randy roosters can nearly wear your hens out, to the point of loss of egg production. And brothers, sometimes live peacefully and sometimes fight to the death.
Mrs K

Not all chickens are mean we had a Barred Rock rooster and he was super nice and he loved the kids that will come over to our house but like you said they could be evil chickens and attack cuz my welsummer rooster that we have now attacked my baby cousin a scratched her I'll cross your face and down her neck. But I will keep the nice one because it might actually stay nice.

 

[ChickNanny13]

The one on the left really don't look like a Cream Legbar but I'm no expert with breeds

 

[Mrs. K]

No not all roosters are mean. However, they can become quite violent in a small amount of time, if you do not have a great deal of chicken experience, often times you don't recognize the signals. Often times, they are fine around you, but a smaller person can become a target. Just wishing the best for the child in the picture.

Often times, it is the nicest rooster that becomes the most violent. They loose their fear of humans, and when the hormones begin to rage, they want to dominate the people too. Chicken equate fear with respect. And chicken society is a pecking order society, someone is the top bird, others are to be dominated.

With chickens like all other livestock, there are exceptions, but there are generalities too. A rooster, like nearly any intact male animal, can be a very dangerous animal, especially during the breeding season.

Mrs K

 

[ducks4you]

I'd say 2 max for 12 hens, but honestly, if you want to keep all 3 and they don't fight, go for it. Add more hens as they grow older. Or just keep your one lap baby and let home be an extremely happy rooster.

Agreed.