Surprised as the least likely ( rooster ) candidate takes charge!

[WCflockers]

Hi. So, out of 10 Barred Rock Roosters and 1 Polish Rooster...one of them started crowing (approx at 9 weeks). It is the Polish! It sounds like an elephant dying,but I kind of like it. Anyway....my question is, is this normal for the underdog, singleton of the group to be the one who takes charge? Once I looked in the coop, he was roosting high and all the others were just still, staring up at him as he crowed. He is the last of the Roosters that I thought would be in this position, I would think a hen would even take over before him. Hehe. I truly adore him, but I am just shocked and puzzled by his position. Honestly, I am new to the chicken world, so I don't have a clue....just would love to know if anyone else has had an oddball, be the main guy? I do think that another rooster is starting to challenge slightly in the crowing department, but not really, I have only heard this other one a little bit, once in a great while. Also - we will not be keeping most of the roosters (if any). I was hoping to keep just one, but now that the one that seems to be boss is the skidish & silly polish, is he going to be able to warn and protect the flock?

 

[Den in Penn]

You never know who will be the top rooster. It can be such a little thing that allows them to the top. Maybe his hormones started just a little sooner then the others. He could still be over thrown, when an other decides to challenge. Being skidish doesn't mean that he can't be on the alert for dangers.

 

[shmccarthy]

My silver Sebright cockerel crowed for the first time at 7 weeks. It sounded kind of like a goose honk mixed with an elephant. He crows every once in a while, and none of my other cockerels have started yet. Some cockerels mature quicker than others, and sometimes it's not the one you expect! Lol
But as for your other question, I watch very carefully at what rooster I keep. I usually pick a pretty big one, that is a gentleman to his girls and I've seen sound the alarm in sight of danger. I have 2 roosters right now, a BR and an EE and they're both great at it.

 

[WCflockers]

Thank you for your answers! The first thought that went through my head when I was hearing the "crow" for the first time was is that a dying Elephant? (lol). His crow hasn't improved much, but - when I hear the other one crow, it sounds more traditional. hehe