Should I add a Rooster to my flock?

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

I love the thought of having a roo, but would it work in my setup? I have 9 hens (6 of which are still pullets), they all live in a pretty big run (I can't free-range due to having a dog). I have had a roo before (Black Australorp), but I sold him partly because he made my hens less friendly to me (more flighty), but also because I wasn't ready to have a rooster (he was supposed to be a hen).
I hesitate to get a rooster because my last one wasn't nice and I don't want my hens to lose their back feathers from too much mating. Also, the idea of eating fertilized eggs is a bit off-putting to me... but I would love to hatch chicks with a broody hen one of these years! Just having another line of protection for my hens is a nice thought, especially because I have lost like 1/2 my flock to both predators and my dog. I would want my roo to be very friendly with me and my hens, is that realistic, though? I just can't decide if a rooster is really worth it. What are the pros and cons of owning one? And what are the best breeds for a super friendly rooster?

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

If you're going for friendly, might I recommend Lavender Araucana? We had a great one, best rooster I've ever had. I like roosters because if you get a good one, they protect the flock, you get chicks, and they can be great chickens.

 

[Mrs. K]

If you get a broody hen, wait 2+weeks, slip day old chicks under her. All the fun of hatching and raising chicks with a broody hen, WITHOUT getting cockerel chicks, which become a new problem to solve.

AArt says roosters are where the romance of raising chickens meets reality.

I don’t really think you would be happy with one, the hens do shift their attention to him, instead of you, or at least all of mine have done so. If they mate they tend to have some feather damage, if you hatch, 50% will be male.

As for which breed? Some are good, some are not in al mo st every breed.

 

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

If you get a broody hen, wait 2+weeks, slip day old chicks under her. All the fun of hatching and raising chicks with a broody hen, WITHOUT getting cockerel chicks, which become a new problem to solve.

AArt says roosters are where the romance of raising chickens meets reality.

I don’t really think you would be happy with one, the hens do shift their attention to him, instead of you, or at least all of mine have done so. If they mate they tend to have some feather damage, if you hatch, 50% will be male.

As for which breed? Some are good, some are not in al mo st every breed.

Thanks for the reality check Yeah, I just think I might regret getting one...