Raising a Rooster as Part of Your Backyard Flock: Discussion Thread

[ChickenLover200]

Hi, everyone!

So, to start out, I will explain a little. I wrote this article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raising-roosters-as-a-part-of-your-backyard-flock titled, "Raising Roosters as a Part of Your Backyard Flock".
If you haven't seen it yet, click the above provided link. A brief summary is below:

In the article, read about...
~ rooster myths,
~wrongful behavior
~proper rooster behavior
~correction of wrongful behavior

I have raised 5 roosters total as pets so far. Even though roosters are NOT required to get eggs from your hens, once you have one, you'll want another. There's nothing like the sound of a rooster crowing to know you're at home.

Anyways, if you have any questions about my article, my methods, or just want to chat about roosters, post here! I LOVE pictures, too!

 

[Alexandra33]

I love your article!

Very well-written!

I'm thinking the standard age that roos turn aggressive is 6 months, correct? T.Roo attacked me around that time, give or take a few weeks. So far, these 9 boys are roughly 4 months old, and still no signs of meanness.

Let's hope it stays that way!

~Alex

 

[Pork Pie]

I love your article!

Very well-written!

I'm thinking the standard age that roos turn aggressive is 6 months, correct? T.Roo attacked me around that time, give or take a few weeks. So far, these 9 boys are roughly 4 months old, and still no signs of meanness.

Let's hope it stays that way!

~Alex

All individuals will differ slightly, but yes around 6 months is roughly the time that they seem lose the plot, thats my experience.

CT

 

[Alexandra33]

All individuals will differ slightly, but yes around 6 months is roughly the time that they seem lose the plot, thats my experience.

CT

You're so right, the individual bird does indeed play a huge part in their overall temperament and what age (if ever) they begin acting out of aggression.

Thank you so much for answering my question, CT!

~Alex

 

[Pork Pie]

 

[ChickenLover200]

I love your article!  Very well-written!

I'm thinking the standard age that roos turn aggressive is 6 months, correct? T.Roo attacked me around that time, give or take a few weeks. So far, these 9 boys are roughly 4 months old, and still no signs of meanness.  Let's hope it stays that way!

~Alex

Thank you!
Yup! And most roosters stay nice till they die... I love having a friendly rooster...

 
I love your article!  Very well-written!

I'm thinking the standard age that roos turn aggressive is 6 months, correct? T.Roo attacked me around that time, give or take a few weeks. So far, these 9 boys are roughly 4 months old, and still no signs of meanness.  Let's hope it stays that way!

~Alex

All individuals will differ slightly, but yes around 6 months is roughly the time that they seem lose the plot, thats my experience.

CT

 

[sboyer1980]

I was hoping for at least one rooster when we ordered 20 hen chicks. Around 3-4 months we realized there were FOUR roosters. All remained with the flock until we saw them attacking each other, as well as the hens. Although all four were gorgeous, we found a home for the three that were gang attacking the fourth one. So far he is doing pretty well, figuring out his territory and which humans he shouldn't sneak up on and attack! Your articles helps me understand more about how to keep him -- and me! -- happy with the flock. Thank you!

 

[ChickenLover200]

I was hoping for at least one rooster when we ordered 20 hen chicks. Around 3-4 months we realized there were FOUR roosters. All remained with the flock until we saw them attacking each other, as well as the hens. Although all four were gorgeous, we found a home for the three that were gang attacking the fourth one. So far he is doing pretty well, figuring out his territory and which humans he shouldn't sneak up on and attack! Your articles helps me understand more about how to keep him -- and me! -- happy with the flock. Thank you!

You're welcome. Thanks for reading! Glad my article helped you out. It's great to hear good feedback.

 

[CluckerCottage]

Hi, everyone!

So, to start out, I will explain a little. I wrote this article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raising-roosters-as-a-part-of-your-backyard-flock titled, "Raising Roosters as a Part of Your Backyard Flock".
If you haven't seen it yet, click the above provided link. A brief summary is below:

In the article, read about...
~ rooster myths,
~wrongful behavior
~proper rooster behavior
~correction of wrongful behavior

I have raised 5 roosters total as pets so far. Even though roosters are NOT required to get eggs from your hens, once you have one, you'll want another. There's nothing like the sound of a rooster crowing to know you're at home.

Anyways, if you have any questions about my article, my methods, or just want to chat about roosters, post here! I LOVE pictures, too!

What a wonderful article and thank you! Great info!
My rooster Rocky so far is being a good boy at 14 weeks. He protects the flock and does not go after me when I pick up one of his girls for inspection. If she squawks, he alerts but stays his distance. I pray that he never tries to flog me, as I will not have it.

 

[carlf]

Growing up, I raised RIR/Barred White Rock Black Sex Links. Had 9 hens and 1 rooster. He was beautiful and one big, mean SOB.
He and I had "an understanding". I showed him who was boss a couple of times and he never messed with grown humans after that.

He was a fantastic rooster, good to his hens.
Hell of a guard bird, I free-ranged my flock in the country, on a short drive way with 6 others house, no fences between anyone's yards. They roamed all over the place.
He never lost a hen in 3 years. None of the neighbors dogs would come near him.

Only problem arose when at about 3 years old, he knocked down the neighbors kid, twice in one week. Kid was about 7 or 8 years old, scared the kid pretty good (turns out my rooster was a good judge of character, but that's another story). After that I we decided to send him away.

If I could have rooster again, I darn sure would!