Why have a rooster? new Pg 10 video pg 13

[fishnet1971]

i doubt feathered, but who knows? he might be acting like a roo!

 

[dlmhorn]

I can't go without roosters in my free-range flock. We had one incredible rooster for several years before a coyote finally got him. We had seen him take on a red-tailed hawk that was attempting to get one of his hens, plus many times he had saved the hens from other predators. As soon as a coyote killed him, we began losing hens, especially to the hawks. I immediately had to get a replacement. So now when I have any extra roosters (i.e. an ordered pullet turns out to be a cockerel), I sell them as additions to a flock (not to be eaten). I know they are a valuable commodity!

 

[fourgrotes]

Wonderful story. My rooster is a bully - I put up with him because he does what God designed him to do: Protect His Hens! He mounts them constantly, pecks their heads while mounted, flys at me to try to spur me 90% of the time, bullies my 85 pound GSD who is from working dog lines and is scared of nothing - but the rooster. One day Ivan (the Terrible) jumped a hen who had been kind of listless and instead of jumping back off he stayed on her and pecked her repeatedly. She made a little pleading "help me" vocalization over and over. I decided that it was enough and ran out the door to chase him off but he saw me coming and ran. I know I need more hens (6 now) as he can handle much more than 6 but he's such a tyrant. He does protect his hens though. Two days ago when I went to let them out of the coop at noon (they don't go out until they've laid their egg quota for the day otherwise they lay them who knows where - they are free range) he walked out the door and I must've looked at him wrong because he flew at me again and again - 9 times total - and 9 times I kicked him - he finally stopped and looked at me and then just walked away keeping one eye on me. I raised that snot from a chick! Okay, please don't reply with comments regarding the kicking. I had nothing to defend myself by my feet and he's drawn blood on me before. So, as horrible as he is to humans, dogs, and cats I appreciate the fact that he protects his hens and won't back down. Long live the king!! I just won't be picking him up and hugging him.

 

[speckledhen]

That is not a good rooster--he's bad to the hens and human aggressive on top of that. Nope, he'd be hanging from a tree, bleeding out in prep for chicken stew here. There is no need for that, no need at all. I broke my ankle two years ago, still have trouble with it, and live on uneven, rocky ground on a mtn with lots of roots, etc. I cannot have some rooster sneak up on me and knock me off my feet, just cannot. I won't be in that position. fourgrotes, you need to be looking for another rooster, friend!

 

[roostershot]

What a great story ! We just bought 6 Bared Rock hens and 1 Rhode Island Red rooster. I call him McDuff.

 

[ChickenAlgebra]

fourgrotes, that rooster would have been in a stew pot long ago. A roo is tough and will protect his hens with his life if needed, but he is NEVER a jerk or a bully. A roo is a bully or a jerk, stew is their name. There are plenty of nice, well mannered roos who protect their hens without being a jerk to keep a jerk.

 

[jbowyer01]

Wow! Not only do you have a beautiful and brave roo Cetawin but you have a gift for writing. I love roosters. I love the crowing and the majestic way they rule. I have been very lucky in the fact that the ones I've owned have all been gentlemen.

 

[Serrin]

Welcome fourgrotes! I have no idea of where you're located, or what your flock consists of, but sweetheart, you do not have to put up with a rooster like that! He may protect his girls, but somebody needs to protect his girls from him, by the sounds of it! Do yourself and your girls a huge favor. Get rid of him! And if you're anywhere near the Spokane, Washington area, I would be delighted to give you one of my super cuddle up boys! Their demeanor is exemplary with regards to their treatment of both hens, people, pets and children. I would completely trust any one of my boys with even the smallest of children! They're very sweet and loving and thoroughly enjoy being cuddled to this day. They're a little over a year old now and would make awesome flock roosters. So, if you're in my neck of the woods, and if you're interested, feel free to send me a PM and I'll set you up with one of the most magnificent boys that ever walked the earth!

Life is too short to waste time with a rotten rooster!

 

[marilyn15]

Thanks so much fro sharing your story on your lovely rooster.
Now I understand why it is so important (my husband keeps telling me the hens are lost without Romeo our rooster) We separated them because we are down to 5 hens and he was mating the heck (feathers out of them). We have 9 other hens but they are not old enough yet......
But now that they are separated it does make sense why they all seem out of sorts.....
Thanks for reassuring me that we should keep our rooster.
Last year we did not have one and we used to free range all the time and we were wiped out all 15 hens except 2. Thanks for the help. (at the time our rooster was too young).

 

[marilyn15]

This should have been posted on the messages of why you should have a rooster, sorry!



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