While you think a Rooster would be a great idea, there is more to it! He is more than a bodyguard to your hens, a future daddy for chicks, and a handsome strutting fowl. Yes, he will boost the atmosphere of a homestead or farm. He will alert predators and keep the girls in line. But there’s one thing you may not think of. Early morning alarm clock. Oh YES! The attitude is not just when he struts or guards. He is vocal 24/7 and 365!
The Ins and Outs of the Dirty Details
So you did what most of us did during the ‘egg crisis of 2024‘, went to your local farm store or hatchery, and picked up some hens! You nurtured them all and caught the fever of the egg surge. No one was ready for $6.00 egg prices. So we all did this, raised the cute chicks to beautiful hens who lay eggs. But you felt you were missing a valuable member of your flock, or you may be feeling this now. Well, here is my personal experience with a rooster who made me want to throw him into the grease!
Do you know how they mate? It’s not a pretty sight to behold. Now, some of you will say, “That’s just their animal instinct, and why are you even watching? Well, it’s kind of hard not to be drawn to the extreme spectacle that it is outside your kitchen window while you are washing dishes. Others will be appalled, yes, it’s a rough scene, but they are animals (I understand your wide eyes and your sputtering!) Overeating is a serious issue in your flock with an overly aggressive bird.
Roosters are prone to bouts of aggression, some are more dominate than others. They’ll chase or peck hens aggressively, this in a small dose to keep them protected but when they are bullying its an entirely different topic. This can have a physical and mental event on them as well. The hens can loss feathers and have serious stress and fatigue.
Egg production can be seriously impacted by bullying and stress. Hens must be at ease in their territory for good egg production. That’s the whole reason we raise hens, right? To save money on eggs (and love on the feathery cuteness). The rooster may even prevent access to food or nesting areas if he is too rough with them. Different breeds act differently. This is why it is so crucial to do your research as well as have even rooster-to-hen ratios, ideally, it’s suggested 8-10 hens per one rooster. This way, a rooster can’t target just one or two hens and abuse them.
Speaking of Breeds
Not all breeds are the same! Did you hear me in the back? Well, just because they are cute and pretty doesn’t mean they are going to get along with other breeds or even you. Small children tend to get the blunt end of this, too. So, picking a rooster affects more than your flock; it affects you and your family as well!
⦁ Orpingtons- The gentle giants of the Chicken kingdom! Good with hens and people! And they can get so big and are kind of like the Great Dane!
⦁ Brahmas- Large and in charge! They are more on the calm and chill side, kind of like the suave personality chill.
⦁ Cochin– Fluffy is an understatement for these guys! They love attention and they are more like the Golden retriever in a sense of how friendly and welcoming they are!
⦁ Barred Rocks- They are the host with the most! They are a go-with-the-flow breed that makes sure everyone is safe!
Now the breeds to avoid is hard to really pinpoint sense the breed can have signs BUT it is all about how they were raised from a hatchling. But here are a few to avoid bringing into your flock due to a track record.
⦁ Old English Game (and other Game fowl breeds)- These guys are bred for fighting, so their aggression levels are scarily high.
⦁ Rhode Island Red (some lines)- Not all are aggressive; it depends on where they were hatched and their environment. The hens are great layers, but the roosters tend to be complete jerks!
⦁ Leghorn Roosters- Known for being active, flighty, and nervous. They can stress out hens with their high energy and persistent mating.
⦁ Malay and Asil- Very aggressive and dominant, not a good fit for mixed flocks.
⦁ Minorca and Andalusian Roosters- Can be high-strung and territorial, and tend to bully smaller or more docile hens.
So, in essence, do your homework; some hatcheries will not carry a lot of these breeds in certain areas. In the US, we tend to have watered-down versions of most breeds. But just be mindful of what your hens are like before you even think about bringing a rooster in. If they are younger, they are kind of wild like a college frat boy!
Broody Hens and How They React to a Rooster
So you want to hatch some babies of your own? A hen or two are broody and ready? Well, there are a few signs that you can see when she is ready to mingle with the rooster! She will be a little aggressive with him, wanting his attention. She will be like a fan-girl, always around him. It’s an interesting thing to watch because it mirrors dating in a sense! The rooster, depending on his personality, can become very protective of the broody hens. Be more attentive to them and stay near them. After all, his main job is to maintain flock order.
Hens run the show of the flock; they can either want the attention from the rooster or not. Sometimes the rooster can throw the hens into a broody cycle if he is new and they’ve never been around a rooster, which can cause the flock to be in a bit of an upheaval. They can be curious or not in the least bit. It depends so much on the flock’s temperament.
My Experience With Our Rooster Trial
So we have a small flock of 10 hens, they range in attitude and breed but for the most part they are very content. We free range on 3 acres and they love the freedom and the openness of their hunting grounds. So we got a Barred Rocks rooster to help keep them safe and watched over, since we can not be outside with them 24/7. So it was just wiser this way.
The first week was him getting used to the flock. He was still young, 4 months old, and had never had his flock before this. So we let him settle in, and within 2 weeks, it was progressing to a well-maintained, orderly event. But then the very next week it began. What began? Oh, I am so glad you asked, the 4:30 am WAKE-UP CALLS! See, I naturally get up around 5/530 am to get coffee into my body to even attempt to start the day. But this guy was pushing my good nature.
I did my best to overlook my dark circles and 5th cup of coffee of the day, and just shrugged it off as a learning curve. I thought he would calm down, NOPE didn’t happen. So he would do his little calls throughout the day and would finally stop once he had put all the hens into the coop around 6 pm. I took it as long as I could! The mating, I looked over and knew it was just basic animal instincts. But the morning wake-up calls did me in! He now lives with my best friend and her hens! I can say at least I did try, and will not try anytime soon.
To Get the Rooster or Not?
With all of this being said, it depends on you and your flock!! Do you want to buy more egg layers, buy your chicks, or do you want to raise them from the start of it all? Deciding to add one to your flock isn’t a one-size-fits-all choice. While roosters can over-protect fertilized eggs and natural flock dynamics, they do come with their challenges. Ultimately, it comes down to your goals as a flock, whether you’re raising hens for eggs, breeding, or simple enjoyment. By understanding the pros and cons and considering your specific setup and comfort level, you’ll be able to make a suitable decision for both you and your flock.
