Ahh a rooster crowing! That quintessential farm sound that some love and some hate, but when it comes to a rooster should you have one? Is it the best decision for your farm and flock? Keep reading to learn more and then you can decide!

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN AFTER READING THIS :

How many roosters should you have?
Are they all aggressive
Do they help protect hens?
Do hens need a rooster around?
Will all your eggs be fertilized ?
PRO’s and CONS

HOW MANY ROOSTERS SHOULD YOU HAVE?

Just about a month ago we had 14 roosters and only about 30 hens! That’s not enough. They were not all mature enough so not an issue quite yet, but I found a home for the roosters and now everyone seems happier. The health of your flock is important and you want to make sure this ratio is correct. If It’s too many hens for 1 rooster he will be stressed trying to keep up with so many! IF there’s too little hens they will

ARE THEY ALL AGGRESSIVE ?

I remember the first time a rooster launched at my leg! I was really not doing much just walking around and then all of a sudden it tried to get my leg. I literally ran away like a chicke, ha!

Here are some things to note.

Not all roosters are aggressive
Many times they act out because they feel threatened. Ask yourself does he have enough food, water, proper shelter
Do they feel their ladies are threatened? IF they do they will do whatever they need to protect.
A lot of times as they are growing they will show some aggression at about 6 months of age and then they calm down! Keep this in mind!

Tips for an aggressive rooster

Let him know you are boos. Do not kick him, etc but if you can pick him up and pink him down and wait a few minutes. Let him know you are boss and you will not tolerate that behavior.

DO HENS NEED A ROOSTER AROUND TO LAY EGGS

Hen’s will always lay eggs no matter if there’s rooster around! But they won’t be fertilized! As long as you are picking your eggs daily you can still eat the eggs when there is a rooster a round. A hen must sit and incubate the eggs for them to become baby chicks so you are safe to eat them if picked daily.

DO THEY HELP PROTECT HENS?

PROTECTION- It’s a rooster job to defend this flock. Many times a rooster is considered aggressive when they really just want to protect their ladies. They are prepared to protect at all cost and will sadly sometimes not survive their attacker. I’ve seen a hawk come near and our rooster alert everyone so fast they were safe and sound before that hawk could even swoop down.

If you cannot be with your hens 24/7 having a rooster or two is not a bad idea. They will sound an alarm and the hens run for cover.

They not only protect but they are so cute and help find treats for the hens. They find a tasty worm and plop it right in front of them and then do a quick Tuck, Tuck, Tuck sound. The girls come running for their treats. It’s SO entertaining to watch! The sound is called tidbitting!

PRO’s and CONS

When it comes to roosters there’s always pro’s and cons! I believe the pro’s outweigh the cons! They have been wonderful and so entertaining. Plus we have not lost ONE hen since having a rooster! They really do help protect their ladies!