The Interloper

I find myself faced with a dilemma this week….. a dilemma of the Rooster sort. See, when I first decided to raise chickens for eggs I carefully and specifically ordered only females because based upon all the research I did, a rooster seemed an unnecessary element for the flock. Less hassle for the hens, less risk of “danger” to my kids (from aggressive rooster behavior), less noise…

My husband really wanted a rooster. He felt like it just wasn’t a proper coop if there was no rooster…but after many many MANY conversations he seemed to come to terms with my “no rooster clause.” At that point, he began a campaign for a “funny-looking hen” instead. Okay, funny looking- I can deal with that.

Well, 6 months later, my father in law presents my husband with his new funny-looking chicken… which upon getting home and introducing to my flock- we realize is most decidedly a Rooster. A cock-a-doodle-do-good-morning-wake-up-the-neighborhood rooster. Sigh…..

So what to do?

We live in a rural area, with fairly few neighbors. In fact, the house across the road keeps chickens as well. There’s no anti-rooster town rule. It doesn’t seem excessively loud or aggressive. In fact, most of the hens are almost larger than the guy. He’s a double-rose-combed Silkie. A very pretty chicken, really, if I am forced to admit it… I dig his fuzzy looking feet… And OF COURSE, the kids are already loving him because he is so cute and fluffy looking. “BUT,” I keep pointing out “He’s a ROOSTER!!!” I feel like I am losing the fight. Is it a battle worth fighting? Do I just relent and let the rooster stay? Will it be more or a headache than to just listen to a few days of boo-hooing and send him on his way??