Such a good question!
Roosters are awesome! In my humble opinion, anyway. Some folks absolutely disagree and are just not fans of roosters. Really, it’s a personal preference and the answer to whether or not some flocks need a rooster comes with answering more questions. HA!
Roosters will protect your flock. They will take care of their hens and find them treats and bugs and things as often as they can. They can be very protective and also very sweet.
On the other hand, some roosters are mean. Some beat up on their hens and chase after their owners constantly. Some are simply too rough when mating, which can cause a serious problem for you and your hens.
When decided whether or not to get a rooster, it’s important to really think through the decision and make sure you’re doing what’s best for you and your flock.
When we were making our decision to get a rooster, we talked through some questions and tried to think of every possible scenario.
NOTE: A rooster is not needed for eggs. Your hens will produce eggs with or without a rooster.
Why would my flock need a rooster?
When it comes to determining whether or not your flock needs a rooster (or if you should get one), there are many questions to consider…
Will hens be sitting on and hatching their own eggs?
If you do want your hens to actually hatch the eggs they lay and have baby chicks, then you need a rooster. While hens do lay eggs regularly without a rooster, the eggs are not fertilized. If hatching your own eggs is a yes, then a rooster is a must.
Will your chickens be free ranging and are you worried about some predators?
Roosters have more jobs than just fertilizing eggs. Their biggest and most important job is flock protector. We lost a rooster to a hawk, but all our hens remained alive and healthy… just a bit shook up. While it was sad, that was his job, and he did it very very well. If your chickens are going to be out and about free ranging, having a rooster isn’t a bad idea. Though not necessary, and a rooster definitely can’t guarantee flock safety all the time, it does help lean towards “yes” for needing one.
Are you ok with the noise?
This question is here because some roosters do crow incessantly and they can be very loud, very early in the morning. Our first rooster crowed a max of three times in a row. Our current rooster can get 20+ crows in at a time! Both started around 4:30am during the spring and summer and closer to 6am in the fall and winter. Many roosters also crow on and off all day. If you’re going to be yelling at your rooster to shut up all the time, you may not want one.
Have you set up a quarantine area?
Just like getting new hens, roosters should also be quarantined for a while before being put with the hens. This is not only to ensure his health and lack of parasites (you don’t want your hens getting lice!), but also to see how the hens react. For example, when we got our first rooster, the hens were curious, but not crazy about him. Took days and days for them to start wanting to actually see him out and about and hang out with him. With our second rooster, they barely let me get him into his own area without jumping him. The hens wanted a new rooster to fill the hole the first one left (which is so sad). And thankfully, he’s done a great job!
What if the rooster is super mean?
Roosters go up for free or a few dollars online all the time. Many folks just don’t want one or can’t have one where they live. If you decide to get one, consider what you’ll do if he’s just plain mean – to everyone. Will you be ok if he ends up in your stew pot (or someone else’s if you end up giving him away or selling him later)?
And of course, are you legally allowed to own a rooster where you live?
Some townships and localities simply do not allow roosters. As previously mentioned, they can be loud all day long. Always check with local laws and ordinances before opting to get a rooster.
And the answer is…
Really, really, really think about it first. Before getting a roo for your amazing flock of ladies, really think about it and make sure you’re considering all the down sides, not just the good stuff!
