Cockerels fors and againsts
- Thread starter Deansmig
- Start date
I think its the neighbours' opinion that counts, for many of us, Deansmig, and our other halves who like to sleep in past 4 a.m. of a summer morning, Cockerels are noisy of course and don't have an off switch. Keen as I am on keeping poultry, I would be disturbed if a neighbour got a cockerel, we had that a few years ago and it was a real pain to the whole street.
I think they are decorative, add to the life and interest of the flock dynamics, and they do look after the hens in a natural way. Fine if you have plenty of space and don't keep them near enough to people to disturb them, but they are an extra mouth to feed, unproductive if you don't intend to breed from them, can be aggressive to humans, can wear away the feathers on their hens backs, and will take up space in the run that could be occupied by another egglaying hen. There's the temptation for indiscriminate backyard breeding from cockerels that have been rehomed ir various reasons, and then used with whatever hens happen to be in the flock, which can result in poor quality stock that nobody will want, especially the next generation of cockerels that have to be dealt with in some way - the problem can escalate!
I think they are decorative, add to the life and interest of the flock dynamics, and they do look after the hens in a natural way. Fine if you have plenty of space and don't keep them near enough to people to disturb them, but they are an extra mouth to feed, unproductive if you don't intend to breed from them, can be aggressive to humans, can wear away the feathers on their hens backs, and will take up space in the run that could be occupied by another egglaying hen. There's the temptation for indiscriminate backyard breeding from cockerels that have been rehomed ir various reasons, and then used with whatever hens happen to be in the flock, which can result in poor quality stock that nobody will want, especially the next generation of cockerels that have to be dealt with in some way - the problem can escalate!
Noise is the biggest problem, followed by pulling the hens about too much if there are not enough and the space is too small. Their spurs can do a lot of damage and the feathers on the back can get pulled out or broken and the back of the head too. There is also a risk of aggression and if a male turns nasty (even though not many do) he is very difficult to live with. Children are particularly at risk.
They do keep order amongst the hens, not that most flocks of hens need it.
They do keep order amongst the hens, not that most flocks of hens need it.
foxy
Active member
Without a doubt a cockerel with his flock of hens roaming is a beautiful sight, I have a few largish flocks and they all have one or two boys. I also have bachelor pads and ladies only flocks, so the ladies can have a bit of peace in the breeding season, as some of the very large boys can do a lot of feather damage to the hens backs.
The most important consideration as has already been mentioned is noise, they do have a habit of crowing when the mood takes them, and not only in the mornings! Next is the balance, the right cockerel, size wise, and give lot of thought into any breeding programme you may want to embark on. Try to get the best quality boy from a good recommended breeder and not get carried away with FTGH but unsuitable boys, don't make their problem your problem in other words, unless you are just happy to have a nice boy pottering around with your flock and are not concerned with breeding
Personally I love cockerels, specially the large rather splendid boys with good temperaments like, salmon faverolles, cochins or partridge brahmas, their crowing I found much more pleasant than the screechy (want to wring their necks.. )high pitched tones of the smaller bantams.
The most important consideration as has already been mentioned is noise, they do have a habit of crowing when the mood takes them, and not only in the mornings! Next is the balance, the right cockerel, size wise, and give lot of thought into any breeding programme you may want to embark on. Try to get the best quality boy from a good recommended breeder and not get carried away with FTGH but unsuitable boys, don't make their problem your problem in other words, unless you are just happy to have a nice boy pottering around with your flock and are not concerned with breeding
Personally I love cockerels, specially the large rather splendid boys with good temperaments like, salmon faverolles, cochins or partridge brahmas, their crowing I found much more pleasant than the screechy (want to wring their necks..
)high pitched tones of the smaller bantams.
chrismahon
Well-known member
As said the biggest issue without doubt is noise. Wyandottes are incredibly loud, but adding a cockerel to 3 noisy hens quietened them down, then sent them broody. Great to see a cockerel and hens in a natural environment as it's the cockerels that have most character and most language. But they do take up coop space and feed and can knock the hens about a bit too much.
Another plea to not have a Cockeral unless you live a long way away from other people. They are very noisy, and for some people it can really blight their lives. A neighbour of mine has a Cockeral - it crows basically all day and starts at about 4am. When I have visitors, they often get woken up by it, and my next door neighbour has had his sleep ruined for several years now. They are totally uncessesary for egg production, and as other have said can cause trouble for the weaker members of the flock if they over mate them. I'm not sure it is even true that they keep order. I had one a while back for a short time, and rather than stopping the top hen from bullying the lower ranking ones, he just took advantage of the weakened hens even more.
Having said that, hatching them from eggs then culling them once they do the first crow will give you the most delicious road chicken you will ever eat - so they do have their place!!
Having said that, hatching them from eggs then culling them once they do the first crow will give you the most delicious road chicken you will ever eat - so they do have their place!!
