Why Have a Rooster?

[Jblaz8]

Hello, I am new to chickens. I only have three hens. Is there a reason to have a rooster? If you have a rooster do you keep him with all the hens, or do you have to separate them? Do you still collect eggs each day? How often will the rooster be mating with the hens? Any advice on the advantages to having a rooster vs not having one is helpful? Thank you!

 

[I Like Turkeys]

I think it’s personal preference, some people see them as protectors, but i’ve heard their only protection is dying for the hens. Some people want to breed and hatch chicks, which a rooster is needed for. The rooster will mate the hens a few times a day, at least, and can overmate them, if there’s too few or he has a favorite, and wear down their back feathers. The hens should still lay a normal amount of eggs and you can still collect them every day. One issue is that some roosters become aggressive, so that’s a downside you may want to consider.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Only reason you'd absolutely need a rooster is if you want him to breed with the hens. Anything else (flock protection, you like the crowing, they're pretty) is optional.

Roosters can be a crapshoot. If you have young kids that help with chores or ones that visit, it's generally recommended to not have a rooster for safety reasons, especially if you're just starting out.

 

[The Chick Addict]

A rooster is a good idea in my opinion. They are great protectors and are always on the watch for predators. They will fight to the death to protect their hens. When they find a choice piece of food or snack like an insect or a piece of grain, they will make this cute sound calling the hens to come and eat it. They will let the hens eat first for the most part. Some are gentler when mating then others. They are also used for breeding if you want more chicks. I definetly recommend a rooster!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Hello, I am new to chickens. I only have three hens.

I would increase the number if you want a male. 3 hens may not be enough for him.

Is there a reason to have a rooster?

Only 100% reason is because obviously if you want to hatch your own chicks, the hens need a boyfriend.

If you have a rooster do you keep him with all the hens, or do you have to separate them?

I keep them together unless they're an extra that isn't staying or if I have to kennel birds for their safety

Do you still collect eggs each day?

Yes, well.... I don't because I'm lazy. But yes.

How often will the rooster be mating with the hens?

All day, every day

Any advice on the advantages to having a rooster vs not having one is helpful? Thank you!

Roosters can be iffy. They aren't all mean, but they're certainly not all nice either. And don't get a bantam because they're smaller. They may be less than a pound of angry, but that pound of angry can get airborne quite easily.

 

[sdm111]

I think it’s personal preference, some people see them as protectors, but i’ve heard their only protection is dying for the hens. Some people want to breed and hatch chicks, which a rooster is needed for. The rooster will mate the hens a few times a day, at least, and can overmate them, if there’s too few or he has a favorite, and wear down their back feathers. The hens should still lay a normal amount of eggs and you can still collect them every day. One issue is that some roosters become aggressive, so that’s a downside you may want to consider.

To say roosters become aggressive is misleading. Some do but alot don't. Chickens in general are extremely territorial and alot of rooster "aggression" is because of instint to protect his flock weather it's one hen or 100.
If you want to hatch chicks then one is required other than that it's personal preference. I've been raising roosters for a good while and I love doing it. Each has thier own personality and their unique crow. They're not all bad like everyone says. It's like the opposite of Facebook with Facebook you read all about people's good times and not any bad times. Here all you read about is the bad ones never the good ones. I'd also venture to say alot of people saying they are bad probably doesn't have any first hand experience and just retelling what they read.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Rhe

To say roosters become aggressive is misleading. Some do but alot don't. Chickens in general are extremely territorial and alot of rooster "aggression" is because of instint to protect his flock weather it's one hen or 100.
If you want to hatch chicks then one is required other than that it's personal preference. I've been raising roosters for a good while and I love doing it. Each has thier own personality and their unique crow. They're not all bad like everyone says. It's like the opposite of Facebook with Facebook you read all about people's good times and not any bad times. Here all you read about is the bad ones never the good ones. I'd also venture to say alot of people saying they are bad probably doesn't have any first hand experience and just retelling what they read.

Post you quoted didn't say flat out that they are aggressive, just that some are

 

[Henfla]

I have only pullets after I culled the rooster in july (they are 19 weeks now). I have neighbours close by, so I could not have a rooster.
People told me I would get alot of problems with the pullets fighting without a rooster. Sometimes they are squabbling a tiny bit, but they are mostly very good friends and I do give them activities so they won't get bored and peck at each other (for example I often give them kohlrabi cut in half when I go to work because it takes some time for them to eat it since it's hard, but they love it). One of the pullets have become the leader and all the others follows her everywhere.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Purpose I keep roosters:

They're Eye Candy

For breeding/Hatching chicks

Food(My hens are also used for meat)

The crowing is nice.

 

[3KillerBs]

Why I have a rooster:

1. Breeding
2. Eye candy
3. I like to hear them crow
4. They're helpful with integration of chicks. I've seen the little ones using the rooster as a pick when a hen was chasing them -- running right underneath their father to escape.
5. I was surprised by the many ways my boy(s) acted as leaders once they matured into flockmasters. Even things like putting the flock to roost at the proper time instead of me having to round latestayers up at dusk.

I have no confidence in the "protector" aspect other than possibly as an alarm, but though the flock was not rowdy before the males matured, they are particularly orderly and peaceful with a mature flockmaster.

Note: I have not had a bad rooster yet. Bad ones can be absolute nightmares. I attribute this to a combination of following good advice from experience people, my breed choices (males have been a Light Brahma, a Black Langshan, and a Blue Australorp -- all breeds noted for laid-back males), my own natural ability at dominance with many kinds of animals that lets them know from day one that I stand no nonsense and that I'm willing to eat troublemakers, and a heaping helping of GOOD LUCK.

Since you're new, some of the good advice that I've followed is this:

Have a hen-only flock the first year then let mature hens raise up the males with good chicken manners. Not beat up on them and put them in fear, but teach them their place in chicken society so that they don't become bullies as hatchmate cockerels might if there are no adults to show them how a good chicken is supposed to behave.