Understanding Your Rooster.

5 stars!

I've kept chickens for many years. I've had dozens of roosters over that time, and have admired their beauty, but considered them dangerous animals, and a necessary evil if I wanted to perpetuate my flock. It came to the point where I kept hens only. Not that there is anything wrong with that, and in fact, I believe it is the best setup for many people.

But recently I decided that I wanted to have a self-perpetuating flock again, and so I picked up some straight run chicks at the Tractor Supply. I now have 3 beautiful cockerels, and I was hoping to keep one of them as a flock rooster.

Your article taught me a lot about rooster behavior. It gave meaning to behaviors that I had witnessed myself, but never put much thought into. It also gave me an inkling that maybe I could keep more than one of my boys. Armed with my new knowledge, the possibility exists that they will not end their days in a crock pot.

(Many thanks from Frankie, Johnny, and Jamal.)

I have searched internet resulting in very little information on rooster behavior. This article explained so much. Just the other day I was in coop with my bucket/scooper that I collect chicken waste in and as I set bucket down it startled one of the hens. As I was crouching down Hansel not seeing what had transpired flogged me from behind thinking I did something to the hen. My immediate response resulted in grabbing him from behind trying to give him a bit of a scare. It just so happened I only achieved grabbing his back feathers since he moved out of the way so quickly. I felt afterwards my actions were sufficient and hoped he realized I did no harm to his favorite hen. When I collect eggs I have to discreetly do so hiding them or he will cry out following me. I've also witnessed him sitting on an egg making strange loud sounds similar to a bear as if he's calling girls to come tend to the eggs. He has made chicken keeping much more interesting and I love all his assortment of noises. He is very loud and vocal I plan on trying the grooming technique you suggested. The only negative aspect I've noticed in owning a rooster is that it's very difficult checking over or treating my girls for aliments. If I separate him he tends to freak out resulting in exhaustion. For this reason I now tend to treat using water soluble solutions instead of giving individual sprays/powders and pray none of my hens ever get bumble foot or something that forces me to handle them a lot.

I expect the text book of powlty science will use copious references.

This article had so much insight into rooster behavior. I appreciate the time it takes to put this all in writing. Currently I have two cockerels that were supposed to be pullets. I'm still deciding if one or both should go.

I feel like I learned a lot, and that this author really knows the topic.

Shad, for content I would give this ten stars if I could. I could not put it down and found it absolutely eye-opening. I'm wondering now if my chickens will arrange themselves into tribes and I can keep all 3 roosters for my 25 hens.

So why only 4 stars? Sorry - I'm an editor by genetics! I wish I could go over this with a fine-nibbed pen! There are just a few grammatical issues or places where I think your fine mind outraced your typing speed. Your research and observations are impeccable, however, and this was a truly incredible read! Thank you so much for sharing!

I have read this excellent article through once and will read it again as I work to rehab Fabio with the advice you've already given me. It has certainly helped us both already but we have a ways to go. Now that we've got little Captain growing up with the new batch of chicks, he will add a new dimension to my flock. One that I hope Fabio will adjust to. I will continue to learn and try to improve my behavior with my flock based on your endless good advice and suggestions.

Would that every chicken had a living arrangement like you have set up! I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Your writing is high-quality and the way you phrase things is much more accurate than I could ever manage.

The accuracy with which the various aspects of rooster behavior are described makes this a n excellent article. But i found it somewhat hard to read, it took me a couple of attempts to get through, more like a scientific text. Very well researched and observed though. Should we ever have chickens and rooster(s) i will read through this article again.

This is a great article Shad! Answered some questions Ive had concerning Rooster behavior. Thank you for taking the time to share your insights and knowledge!

Your observations of the birds behaviors facinates me so much!

A really wonderful in-depth view of roosters, their mating habits, and how the social structure of a flock is formed.

As always, Shad, your observation skills and word management are outstanding - well done.