Why have a Rooster if you want just eggs?

[TXchickmum]

We purchased 3 Golden Comet chicks to raise for eggs (and pets for the kids). -kids saw the "assorted" bantam chicks and just had to have a few. Now, we have two roos. Our bearded Belgian d'Anver roo is very protective of the entire flock. He alerts to anything overhead or landing on the lawn. -has a sweet temperament and will let my daughter tote him around. The OEG bantam roo is precious. He has a very docile temperament, and really doesn't add/detract one way or the other. Neither are aggressive at this point. When the big gals are tired of either roo invading their space, they chase them away. I like the fact that they alert to danger. -feel more comfortable letting my birds roam without me being out every minute. (we, too, have a number of knockout rose bushes, crape myrtles, and numerous other blooming bushes for the chickens to use for cover.....but still like having a roo around)

 

[Cindy in PA]

I have one because I love to hear him crow & mostly just to annoy the neighbors! I wasn't supposed to get one this time, but I have a cute little black & white EE with 25 hens. Time will tell if he stays or not, but I hate getting rid of any of them.

 

[Mrs. K]

Do you want your hens as pets, to be petted and held? Or do you just want to watch them sometimes, and get eggs to eat? If the former, do not get a rooster. If the later, a rooster can be of good help, but it is not instantaneous. They have to grow up, and they can be a bit trying until they do. If you have SMALL children, I HIGHLY recommend that you DO NOT GET A ROO. They can be dangerous, and small children move too fast and are scary to roos, who will attack them at eye level.

If you want chickens for eggs, well then, the same hens will not produce eggs for ever. You have to cull and replace. Now if you free range without a rooster, the wildlife will probably cull them for you. When I first started, I only had hens, and really a nice flock of hens is a good way to get started in the chicken hobby, however, I let mine out, and I frequently lost a hen, and did so right up to the time my roo got to be 14 months old, then the day time predation has stopped. It has to be my Captain.

Anyway, if you want hens for eggs, you really need to add a few pullets each year. You can of coarse, buy new chicks, and raise them up yourself, and then introduce them to the flock, but by far the easiest way is to have a broody hen raise them up for you. She can hatch them out, right in the coop with the layers and roo. She will keep them separate until they are accepted. Works a treat.

I have had my current flock for 5 years. I started with all hens, one darling girl went broody, and put fertilized eggs under her that I got from another chicken lady. Some of those chicks were roos. I picked one, and processed the rest. I really like the one I have, but I have never picked him up, or petted him, I walk right into him, and make him move. He has never attacked me or mine, and I love having him. But honestly, there are nightmare stories on here. Some make great roos, and some do not.

Sum up advice - no you don't really need a roo, but you will lose some hens to predation if you free range, you can lose some to predation if your roo is not old enough, you can raise up your own chicks with a roo, and you have to plan to replace your hens about every 3 years or sooner to keep a stable egg production. Pullets will lay through the first winter, but hens generally take the winter months off unless you add a great deal of additional light. Roosters and little children are not a good combination.

This is a great hobby, that you can grow into, your flock will change with time, and you can get a rooster later if you want.

MrsK

 

[Daisy8s]

Mrs. K has great overall advice--you can grow into your flock, there are some wonderful roos, some do help with warnings regarding predators, etc.

The only point I disagree with her on is a warning against having a rooster if you have small children. Small children should be kept away from all chickens--hen or rooster. One of my hens will jump up and peck at anything she is curious about--which could be a child's face. I just don't want you to think you can let little kids wander among the chickens if you only have hens.

Another point someone made is the fun of observing flock dynamics when you have a rooster. I saw a big change in the flock after my rooster matured and took on his role. It helped me observe their instincts at work in ways that weren't apparent before.

If you do get a rooster do a lot of reading of posts from people who have well-behaved roosters. There are plenty of threads where people go on about attempts to beat their rooster into submission--which isn't a viable, long-term strategy. Instead, there are other methods used by people who really understand a rooster's instincts and work with it.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[Firefly1v]

I agree with Mrs K and the others. You only need a roo if you want to breed or for protection when they free range or even in the coop.

I have a pen of bantam cochins that was being terrorized by a coon. He finally figured out a way under the fence (somewhat) and my little man fought off the coon. He unfortunately was hurt as well and didn't make it. He did his job and saved the girls. We took care of the coon.

Because we breed I had another roo waiting so not to bad. It is easier for me to replace a roo than a hen.

 

[JodyJo]

I already chimed in, but will add, I have a 6 yr old with Down Syndrome, not that that matters, but he sometimes does not understand we don't chase the chickens...my hateful roo has flogged him once or twice for no reason, that is why he will shortly find a new home! My son, or any other children that come over, do not go out around the chickens without an adult anyway...small children should not be around livestock in any sense, we have cattle and horses as well.

Use your best judegement, you can always cull him if you decide you made the wrong choice!

Good luck!

 

[TXchickmum]

I agree that children should be supervised with any type of animal. -just the safe thing to do for both parties involved. Our OEG bantam rooster has a habit of hopping into the lap of our 13-year-old and roosting there. At times, he will just cuddle up and snooze a while. He's also great with the flock.

 

[rambunctious]

Everyone has been beyond helpful! Thank you all so much!

 

[Ohylime]

At first I didnt want a rooster because I just wanted eggs, but now I think I would want one rooster for my hens, but he has to be a gentlemen to girls for sure! I only have a handfull of hens so its easy for me to eat the eggs

I ended up with one rooster that I raised from a chick thinking was a hen. But hes beautiful and takes care of his girl. He follows them around and alerts them when birds fly by. He can be a little mean to me but when I feed them treats I see the hens snatching it first and even out of his mouth! Then hens push him around but he takes good care of them and keeps the peace between the hens.
When he gets old or ever too mean, I would have to find a new rooster that needs a home but can do the job right If they dont do their job they are just wasting the feed and creating problems sometimes Dx

 

[Hinotori]

A good rooster is a wonderful creature to have. They break up fights, put bullies in their place, watch for predators, give all the treats to the girls, feed chicks, and make sure everyone gets to the coop at night.

A bad rooster drops his wing and dances at people, stalks them, and attacks, eats all treats and takes them from hens, attacks chicks, bullies other males, and make very good noodle soup.

I've had both types. A nasty mean hatchery silkie and a very laid back one. We took care of the mean one, but apparently he was covering the EE pullets but not the silkies. The laid back boy raised all the chicks. His sons were laid back. One of the mean ones sons would freak out and was skittish. The other one was friendlier and would think things over. That's my only male to have survived the neighbor's dog. He matured quickly with no one to help with the girls and is a very nice cockerel now. He's not as laid back as the silkies and doesn't put up with any of the hens fighting. I could never give up such a good boy now. He rules everyone mostly with a look.