The Funny Farm: The Upside Of Keeping Roosters

Too often roosters get a bad rap, often by folks who don’t understand chicken biology (i.e. testosterone) and psychology. Some of us are blessed with easy boys, while others find a way to work with the more challenging ones.

Chickens are flock animals and roosters have their role to play: protectors, mediators of disputes, finding food, and of course, making babies. In this post I think we could add a few more adjectives to the list including affectionate, paternal and loyal friend.

Six years into getting chickens I got my first rooster. It was meant to be a temporary foster of a bantam who who’d been dumped in the woods. He was so endearing and friendly, fitting right in with my flock of standard sized hens that I decided to keep him. Since then, I’ve always kept a rooster and can honestly say that all my experiences have been positive. I don’t know if I’ve just been lucky or have managed to keep a no-drama flock. My roosters have never shown any aggression towards me and although none have been as friendly as that first boy they’ve all been integral to my flock.

Last summer, I heard some chicken chatting in the shed that’s inside their 30’x40′ enclosure. Lo and behold, Hank was calling not one but several hens over to lay their eggs on the ground behind some buckets. He had dug a little hollow and as the eggs were laid he tucked them under his belly. Later, as one of the new layers was scoping out a place to lay on the shavings covered droppings board in the coop he followed her around, cheering her on. Both spots weren’t idea for laying but I was really fascinated to see how much attention he paid to the activities of his girls. – Bitchin’ Chickens

I think I have a firefighter in the family. The other night my husband was working on something out in the shop which is also where Dude (my Silkie) lives when it’s too cold outside. My husband threw his cigarette down and didn’t pay attention to where it went which was directly on some paper that was on the ground. He went into the other room and a few minutes later when he went back the shop was filled with smoke. Dude was on the other side of the room stomping out the fire and had it out before my husband got over to him. – Shelley Brittain

Around three weeks ago, one of my roosters, Angus, came at me and pushed my hand against the nesting boxes. I didn’t think much of it at the time. Yesterday, he tried wooing me with his rooster dance and today he pecked my leg. Each incident happened while I was crouched down to collect eggs (my girls have decided that laying under the nesting boxes is way better than laying in them). Outside of when I collect eggs, he really pays me no mind. – Monique Vermeulen

I always leave the front door of the coop open while I’m in there. They never venture out into the frozen tundra. The flock has a covered run that’s open to the south which they prefer. They do not like walking on the snow. Today, my juvenile rooster, Copper, went outside! I found him standing on a stump between the barn and the shop. The dog and I went around and slowly walked towards him. I imagined he’d hop off the stump and walk back into the barn. He just stood there. We were almost up to him when I wondered if he’d just let me pick him up. I told the dog to wait and as I was making my way through the deep snow Copper flew straight into my arms. It was shocking! He usually does not like being handled. I’m still working on getting him to eat out of my hand. He really did not want to step back into that snow. I carried him back into the coop. Everyone was eating breakfast. I squatted down. He stood on my arm for a few seconds, looking at me, and clucking softly as if to say, thank you! You got a piece of my heart today, Copper! – Kira Brisbois

So our beautiful rooster broke his toe years ago and now can’t roost, so this is how he sleeps. Super loved, super spoilt member of our family. – Carolyn Blake

Just got to brag on these boys! My Jersey Giants are in a temporary uncovered run while I move my flocks around. I was inside when I heard my little Polish rooster, who was in a covered run with my main flock, let out a scream. I heard my JG boys losing their minds. I made it out to their run to see one had all but two girls backed into a corner and was covering them. The other had trapped this guy inside the dog run under their coop. I grabbed my boy, shut the hawk inside and rushed to the other side to lock the chicken door. I checked my cameras to see that the two missing hens were safely in the coop. I was able to get ahold on the hawk and cage him. All my birds walked away without a mark, though one of my boys lost quite a few feathers.

Unfortunately the Hawk didn’t look right. He had a few injuries that I could see, but something was off about him. I connected with a local rehabber and took him there. Sadly he looked off because he was in extreme starvation mode. I could feel every bone when examining him. I’m not surprised by this as we have a bald eagle family living across the road and I’m sure they are making hunting difficult.

It’s important to remember that birds of prey and other predators are just hungry, and following their natural instincts. It’s our job as chicken keepers to protect our flocks. Had he killed one of them or injured them, that would have been on me for not protecting them. Thankfully everyone walked away. This little guy picked the right coop and is off to get healthy and hopefully be released pending all his test results.

I can’t recommend Jersey Giant roosters enough. They are huge birds, calm, docile, extremely alert and protective of their flock. Amazing with other animals they are raised around, the hens love to play with my little dogs. – Chelsea Field

Any of your roosters do this? I have three juveniles that only sleep under him. If you try to pet the babies while under Krispy, he will peck you. And yes, Krispy is a he because he crows and I’ve seen him “loving” many hens. – Cristina Diniz McCollum