When/How do cockerels learn...

[MesMama]

rooster "stuff"? Such as feeding the hens, calling them in etc?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It's mostly instinct, though that does raise the question if some raised in the flock learn from watching older roosters, some do the whole thing, dancing, luring, asking, others just grab, shag and run, usually crowing afterwards.

 

[MesMama]

Thanks! My mom and I were talking and wondering I gave her my pullet and cockerel (8 weeks) that I raised with my flock including my roo and he (the cockerel) doesn't feed the pullet yet, he actually will go grab what she finds sometimes and eats it, not aggressive at all but just like "hey, I'm the boss here" type of deal. Just wondered what the process is of them learning how to be a rooster

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Not all roosters will do all the behaviors, most start about the time the comb begins to redden, maybe one out of four roosters will be a gentleman to his hens, one will be horrible, and two will fall in between.

 

[MesMama]

Well poo! I was hoping Bas would take after his dad! He's a perfect gentleman

Well one can hope!

 

[MesMama]

He started crowing this past week LOL!!! SO funny