Should I buy a rooster for my free-range hens?

[Peggysaurus]

Hey, BYC! I let my hens free-range every few days and I was wanting to free-range them more often. I heard that roosters warn their hens when there is danger and do a whole lot of other stuff for them. However, I also heard that they are mean and aggressive toward people. Then there is the whole "egg fertilization" thing and I'm not sure if I want to hatch baby chicks yet. I've never had a rooster before, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, BYC!

 

[aart]

Do not count on a rooster for predator protection.
If you are brand new to chickens, best to wait to get a male.
They take some experience from what I've seen,
and they can not only be aggressive to humans but also the female birds.

If you do decide to get a male, best to have a separate space to keep him at first and in case things get ugly. Choosing where and how to get a male can be tricky and bringing in a new bird always brings the risk of also bringing in pests and diseases.

As for fertile eggs, they won't start to develop into chicks unless you keep them at ~100°F for a few days, so gathering eggs daily should take care of that.

 

[Shadrach]

Roosters can be a steep learning curve. In the right circumstances they are an essential and highly entertaining part of a flock.
This isn't meant to be in the least offensive, but if you're asking about keeping a rooster on this forum then my advice is wait.

 

[MROO]

Do not count on a rooster for predator protection.
If you are brand new to chickens, best to wait to get a male.
They take some experience from what I've seen,
and they can not only be aggressive to humans but also the female birds.

If you do decide to get a male, best to have a separate space to keep him at first and in case things get ugly. Choosing where and how to get a male can be tricky and bringing in a new bird always brings the risk of also bringing in pests and diseases.

As for fertile eggs, they won't start to develop into chicks unless you keep them at ~100°F for a few days, so gathering eggs daily should take care of that.

X 10 on this!
When you're ready, don't "buy" a rooster before checking around for one that needs rehoming. Many are "free to a good home" not because they're mean, but simply because someone has too many or wants to bring along some younger ones. You're more likely to get a people-friendly (or at least a "people-respectful") roo that way ... and you may even find one with free-ranging experience. It's a Win-Win-Win for you, the previous owners ... and the bird!

 

[chrissynemetz]

I agree with everyone else. I think you would be better off if you wait a while before you take on a rooster. Let your ladies mature first, and get a bit more experience with chickens under your belt.
I love my roosters, and I couldn't imagine not having a few in my flock. But they can be a real handful, especially when they're young and going through the teenage hormone phase.

 

[tuesdaylove]

I too think you should wait, do tons of research, and make a decision later.

Yes, technically, roosters can make a flock safer, but it's not guaranteed. One of my boys fought his very hardest when a fox broke into the coop, nearly got killed trying to save his hens, but they both were killed anyway. In a different flock, the rooster was killed right alongside the hens. They will often try to defend the girls, but it's not at all guaranteed safety. I have also had an extremely aggressive rooster that was quite dangerous to people. If you're on the fence about a rooster, it's not worth the risk yet.

 

[Mrs. K]

How many hens do you have and how much space do you have? Key points to a happy rooster experience. If this is your first year, wait till you have had chickens a year.

Find some local chicken people, maybe join a poultry club, ask at the feed store, but a year old rooster is your best bet, if you have about a dozen hens and adequate space for such birds.

If you are truly a backyard set up, with just a couple of birds, I would not recommend a rooster.
Mrs K

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm a bit surprised you are pretty much getting the same opinion from everyone. That doesn't happen on here very often and someone else may chime in with a different opinion. But I agree with the "not yet", if ever.

I heard that roosters warn their hens when there is danger and do a whole lot of other stuff for them.

In my opinion, the protection offered by a rooster is often greatly exaggerated. A good rooster is a fairly good look-out but often the dominant hen will take on this role and some other flock master duties. This look-out is mostly for flying predators. Most daytime-dangerous land-based predators are ambush type so he won't see them in time to do anything about it. Some like possum or raccoon are slow enough that they can evade them during the day if they have enough room. Night when the rooster and the rest are on the roost and helpless is when those are most dangerous. You may occasionally get a rooster that will fight a predator, usually something small like a hawk, but when mine are threatened the rooster leads them to safety. He does not fight a rear guard action to help the others get away.

One thing I have noticed. When something is suspicious the rooster will often get between the flock and whatever the perceived danger is. He checks it out before deciding it's not a problem or that he should warn them to follow me, we are in trouble. There are some safety benefits to having a mature rooster but to me they are very few. The dominant hen often does as well.

However, I also heard that they are mean and aggressive toward people.

Some are, some are not. If that were universally true they would never have been domesticated.

Then there is the whole "egg fertilization" thing and I'm not sure if I want to hatch baby chicks yet.

Then don't incubate them. If you collect the eggs once a day and store them in your air conditioned house or refrigerator they will not develop.

@aart that 100 degrees F is not good info. Recommended incubation temperature is below that by a half degree. They will still hatch at a full degree below recommended (98.5) they will just be a bit late. They won't hatch but they can develop some down in the 80's F, it's just slow. I'e never had any development issues in the upper 70's.

 

[aart]

@aart that 100 degrees F is not good info. Recommended incubation temperature is below that by a half degree.

You must have missed the symbol(~) that means approximately.

As for fertile eggs, they won't start to develop into chicks unless you keep them at ~100°F for a few days, so gathering eggs daily should take care of that.

 

[BaaKaaawk]

I'm a bit surprised you are pretty much getting the same opinion from everyone. That doesn't happen on here very often and someone else may chime in with a different opinion. But I agree with the "not yet", if ever.

Ok well, here it comes!

I've always had Roosters and I've never had any trouble other than the typical Roo that goes aggressive, which is an easy fix. I completely disagree with people who say the Rooster doesn't help with predators- my Roosters are always watching and they will immediately warn thew flock if they see a hawk, or if a hen goes off on their mindless excursions and has separated herself (aka easy prey).

Let's also not forget that you can't raise your own, home-bred chickens without a Rooster, which is a very special thing. So there is your counter-point, I love Roosters and think they play a very important role in a flock, most especially a free-ranging one.

And, my last point- if they don't experiment with a Rooster- how are they ever going to know? You can read 10,000 books and posts about Roosters but that will be just a fraction of what you will learn from having one. That's like saying "hey go read about skydiving, you don't actually have to do it if you read about it". To deny the experience is a ridiculous approach to life in my opinion.

I say go for it, if it doesn't work our for you for some reason (aggression, other) - then find a proper place for your rooster and you have YOUR answer. Heck, if you try and it doesn't work- you can send me your Rooster.