Maybe you accidentally got a rooster in with what was supposed to be all female chicks, or you’re considering getting a rooster to add to your laying hen flock.
On today’s video, we’re going to be discussing a few things you need to consider before getting a rooster.
Hey, it’s Ashley at Headrick Homestead, and today I’m bringing you a two minute quick tip.
Just a reminder, you do not need to have a rooster in order for your hens to lay eggs. Your hens will lay just fine without a rooster present.
I’ve had a few roosters over the years. All of them have been oopses. They’ve been roosters that have shipped with what was supposed to be all female chicks.
I’ve kept them around for a little while, but I always ended up getting rid of them for a couple of reasons.
Roosters are Noisy
First of all, roosters are extremely noisy.
They crow and while some people might think a Cock a Doodle Do is a nostalgic way to get up in the morning, just remember that you don’t set the alarm time and you can’t press snooze.
If you’re on a smaller lot, your neighbors might not appreciate that early morning wake up call.
But it’s not just the morning. Your roosters will crow a little throughout the day as well. So if you’re considering getting a rooster, just make sure that you and your neighbors are okay with that level of noise.
Roosters Tend to be Mean and Unpredictable
And the second reason I don’t have a rooster is because they tend to be mean and unpredictable.
Now they all start out so sweet. I remember our first rooster was a sweetheart until some sort of switch flipped in his brain and he became a vicious attack rooster.
I had to carry a shovel into the coop with me just to gather the eggs or feed them. It just took all the joy out of having chickens.
Plus, I have a lot of visitors on the farm with young kids, and I like to be able to bring them into the coop with me. And that just wasn’t possible when you had this cantankerous rooster trying to protect his hens.
Are Roosters a Good Fit for Me?
So for those two reasons, I decided keeping a rooster just wasn’t the best fit for me.
Now, if you have a lot of acreage and don’t mind the noise. Or you are blessed with a really friendly rooster or you really want to raise and hatch your own chicks, then a rooster might be a great fit for you.
But if you’re just getting started with chickens for the first time, I highly recommend sticking to laying hens.
You’re just going to have a much more peaceful and a quiet chicken experience.
So that’s all for today’s two minute quick tip. Now you just have to decide if a rooster is right for you.
