I am new to having a rooster and I would like to know if there is anything particular to watch for?
I know that my flock is small for a rooster - 6 ladies for one rooster, so I will be watching my hens closely and if it's not OK I will cull the rooster.. no point getting my layers in bad shape just to have fertile eggs, I can buy them for 1.50$ each.
Should I trim his claws?
Can he be too heavy for the chicks? He is maybe double the weight of the hens (I never weighted the hens but ballpark). And to know this I would check what? For leg injuries from the hens holding a big male on their backs?!
I've seen posts where hens would have chicks and the chicks would be raised with the roo. This wouldn't happen if I use an incubator and try to introduce the babies in the flock at a very early age right? Since there will be no mother to protect them, I assume they would be picked on.
Will my hens become broody because of the rooster? They've NEVER, ever been anything like broody. I doubt any of them will lay on some eggs. My eggs are always cold when I come home and besides the time they lay, I never see the chickens in the nest boxes. I wonder if the motherly instincts develop after they get mated? I don't suppose so, but I have no idea really..
Anything else? Yes, I know he will possibly attack me some day, I am prepared for that
I know he is protective already. This morning I was feeding them and I always sit and pet them a few minutes.. I picked up a layer and started to pet her, he immediately jumped on her back to "mate" her (or possibly just to show me she was his).
I love his signing in the morning, I feel like I live on a farm now. So fun, he answers to another rooster that lives 3-4 houses away from me
Sorry for all the questions. I have 20 meaties to cull soon and want to decide if I cull TarzanBoy or if I let him be, so I want to understand what I am walking into!
I know that my flock is small for a rooster - 6 ladies for one rooster, so I will be watching my hens closely and if it's not OK I will cull the rooster.. no point getting my layers in bad shape just to have fertile eggs, I can buy them for 1.50$ each.
Should I trim his claws?
Can he be too heavy for the chicks? He is maybe double the weight of the hens (I never weighted the hens but ballpark). And to know this I would check what? For leg injuries from the hens holding a big male on their backs?!
I've seen posts where hens would have chicks and the chicks would be raised with the roo. This wouldn't happen if I use an incubator and try to introduce the babies in the flock at a very early age right? Since there will be no mother to protect them, I assume they would be picked on.
Will my hens become broody because of the rooster? They've NEVER, ever been anything like broody. I doubt any of them will lay on some eggs. My eggs are always cold when I come home and besides the time they lay, I never see the chickens in the nest boxes. I wonder if the motherly instincts develop after they get mated? I don't suppose so, but I have no idea really..
Anything else? Yes, I know he will possibly attack me some day, I am prepared for that
I know he is protective already. This morning I was feeding them and I always sit and pet them a few minutes.. I picked up a layer and started to pet her, he immediately jumped on her back to "mate" her (or possibly just to show me she was his).
I love his signing in the morning, I feel like I live on a farm now. So fun, he answers to another rooster that lives 3-4 houses away from me
Sorry for all the questions. I have 20 meaties to cull soon and want to decide if I cull TarzanBoy or if I let him be, so I want to understand what I am walking into!