Getting A Rooster?

Here’s What You Need To Know…

by Isabelle Esch

Welcome to Getting A Rooster, an article in my series Raising Chickens For Beginners.

In this article we will cover everything you need to know before you get a rooster.

Why Do You Need A Rooster?

The first questions most people ask me are, why do I need a rooster? Why should I get one?

A rooster can be very beneficial to your flock. They not only have to obvious breeding factor, but they will also protect your hens.

Protecting Your Hens

When a predator enters your backyard and disturbs your chickens, your rooster will let you know, he will sound the alarm.

Your hens will also feel more protected and will be happier which leads to better egg production and less pecking each other.

For more about protection check out my article about protecting your chickens!

Rooster Personality

Roosters have a bad reputation for being noisy, mean, and messy, but the truth is, if you buy the right breed, they are sweet, sometimes even nicer than the hens.

You should definitely read more about the breed of chicken you have to see if that breed’s rooster temperament is right for you.

If you don’t plan to breed your chickens, or you don’t mind a little mix breeding, you can buy a rooster of a different breed, If you’d like a breed with better temperament.

Rooster Fights

If you plan on getting two roosters and putting them in the same pen, you are probably wondering if they will fight, and how bad it will be.

Most roosters actually are pretty tolerant of other roosters, when you first introduce them they will fight, but after dominance is established by one or the other they usually don’t fight.

Just make sure they have plenty of space.

Too Much Noise?

One of the main concerns people have when getting a rooster is will they be too noisy?

There’s not much you can do to keep them completely quiet, but you can try to keep it down.

Having only one rooster helps when you want to keep the noise down, they often crow at each other.

Another way to keep the noise down is make sure they always have food and water. For most roosters the happier they are the quieter they are.

Your roosters will probably still crow in the morning, its their way of gathering the flock and letting other roosters know they are there.

Thanks for reading! Check out the articles in my series Raising Chickens for Beginners and I wish you good luck on your chicken raising journey.