10 month old Olive Egger cockerel looking for a new home with plenty of hens to love and protect.
His name is Ricotta and he’s a generous lover, TOO generous for my five girls.
Located in central Florida and willing to bring him to you. In fact, I would prefer that because I want to make sure he’s going to the right home.
We didn’t plan on having a rooster. Sexed day old pullets were ordered with the hope that’s what I’d receive. Then it took until 10 weeks old to realize he was, in fact, a cockerel because his pea comb is so small, it wasn’t until the saddle feathers started to appear. Ok, I live in the country, nothings stopping us from owning a rooster. This could work. I want it to work because at 10 weeks I’m definitely now attached and of course he had to be the most friendly and cuddly to this first time chicken owner.
We also didn’t want more than 6 chickens (I know, crazy, right?) so I’m not currently equipped to add enough girls to divide his attention. The coop/run is 80 sqft with an addition coming later this year, but I’m afraid my girls backs cannot wait that long, nor do I think it’ll be enough to add to the flock or enough room to get away from his advances. They only free range when I’m home. I’ve considered putting him in solidary confinement with the hope his hormones would eventually settle and the 6 of them could live in harmony, despite the hen:roo ratio being below the recommended. But unfortunately it’s now summer and we live in Florida. I don’t have enough shade trees to keep him under, I worry about the heat and him being alone for so long. A pen inside the current run isn’t very feasible either. The girls are all wearing saddles at this point. The last straw that led me to this decision is the other day when I realized the last two needed saddles – my poor Lavender Orpington. I had no idea she had a gash on her side that was HEALING over, or at least trying to. The repetitive mating and scraping isn’t helping. Her feathers cover the area but I just happened to be near her as she was preening and she parted her feathers just enough that I noticed something that didn’t look right. Further examination and I couldn’t believe my eyes! I never saw blood on her, she never looked or acted in pain. Which is expected because she’s a chicken.. but I’m with them so much I usually notice when any little thing is off.
He is half ameraucana so he has a beard and muff, although at the moment he is missing most of those feathers because the LO has plucked them out. Knowing what I know now, I don’t blame her for it! And he’s willing to lose a few feathers as long as she allows him to mate. So he’ll just sit there and let her pick. The other half of his breed I’m unsure of. Maybe Barred Rock. He’s quite large and heavy.
There hasn’t been a single egg song he didn’t sing along with.
When the pullets were coming to the point of lay, he made sure they knew where the boxes were and would cluck and fluff the straw. Then stand nearby until they were done. Still to this day he’ll occasionally sit nearby and purr when a box is occupied.
He’s extremely passionate about finding food for his girls. He tidbits with the loudest excitement, especially for peanuts. It’s a wonder he’s as big as he is because I rarely see him eating anything himself.
When the girls split up in groups he’ll run back and forth between them to make sure they’re staying safe.
He is constantly on the lookout for danger. To the point where I’ve nicknamed him Chicken Little. Growling and honking at every sight of cardinals, bluejays and airplanes. Hawks and eagles are spotted before they even come close. He hasn’t had to fight off any predators but he’s at the age his hormones are kicking in and gets a little testy with us from time to time. I have no doubt he would do his best to defend his ladies. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that he has bit and kicked us, but not to the point of fearing he wouldn’t grow out of it. He’s usually happy to just be left alone to do chicken things, but every once in awhile he feels like testing his grits. Usually just runs then stops before making contact. He loves to fall asleep while being held and petted. He’s just figuring out his place in this world.
I hate that this day has come. I’m not one to “give up” on an animal. I figure out problems and adjust. Unfortunately I don’t see any other solution here and it breaks my heart. It’s not fair to him or the girls to continue on together. So I hope to find him a home with someone who will love him as much as I do but provide him with a better life than I can.
Sorry for the lengthy post, but he deserves a proper introduction. Please message me if you are looking for a new addition to your flock.
His name is Ricotta and he’s a generous lover, TOO generous for my five girls.
Located in central Florida and willing to bring him to you. In fact, I would prefer that because I want to make sure he’s going to the right home.
We didn’t plan on having a rooster. Sexed day old pullets were ordered with the hope that’s what I’d receive. Then it took until 10 weeks old to realize he was, in fact, a cockerel because his pea comb is so small, it wasn’t until the saddle feathers started to appear. Ok, I live in the country, nothings stopping us from owning a rooster. This could work. I want it to work because at 10 weeks I’m definitely now attached and of course he had to be the most friendly and cuddly to this first time chicken owner.
We also didn’t want more than 6 chickens (I know, crazy, right?) so I’m not currently equipped to add enough girls to divide his attention. The coop/run is 80 sqft with an addition coming later this year, but I’m afraid my girls backs cannot wait that long, nor do I think it’ll be enough to add to the flock or enough room to get away from his advances. They only free range when I’m home. I’ve considered putting him in solidary confinement with the hope his hormones would eventually settle and the 6 of them could live in harmony, despite the hen:roo ratio being below the recommended. But unfortunately it’s now summer and we live in Florida. I don’t have enough shade trees to keep him under, I worry about the heat and him being alone for so long. A pen inside the current run isn’t very feasible either. The girls are all wearing saddles at this point. The last straw that led me to this decision is the other day when I realized the last two needed saddles – my poor Lavender Orpington. I had no idea she had a gash on her side that was HEALING over, or at least trying to. The repetitive mating and scraping isn’t helping. Her feathers cover the area but I just happened to be near her as she was preening and she parted her feathers just enough that I noticed something that didn’t look right. Further examination and I couldn’t believe my eyes! I never saw blood on her, she never looked or acted in pain. Which is expected because she’s a chicken.. but I’m with them so much I usually notice when any little thing is off.
He is half ameraucana so he has a beard and muff, although at the moment he is missing most of those feathers because the LO has plucked them out. Knowing what I know now, I don’t blame her for it! And he’s willing to lose a few feathers as long as she allows him to mate. So he’ll just sit there and let her pick. The other half of his breed I’m unsure of. Maybe Barred Rock. He’s quite large and heavy.
There hasn’t been a single egg song he didn’t sing along with.
When the pullets were coming to the point of lay, he made sure they knew where the boxes were and would cluck and fluff the straw. Then stand nearby until they were done. Still to this day he’ll occasionally sit nearby and purr when a box is occupied.
He’s extremely passionate about finding food for his girls. He tidbits with the loudest excitement, especially for peanuts. It’s a wonder he’s as big as he is because I rarely see him eating anything himself.
When the girls split up in groups he’ll run back and forth between them to make sure they’re staying safe.
He is constantly on the lookout for danger. To the point where I’ve nicknamed him Chicken Little. Growling and honking at every sight of cardinals, bluejays and airplanes. Hawks and eagles are spotted before they even come close. He hasn’t had to fight off any predators but he’s at the age his hormones are kicking in and gets a little testy with us from time to time. I have no doubt he would do his best to defend his ladies. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that he has bit and kicked us, but not to the point of fearing he wouldn’t grow out of it. He’s usually happy to just be left alone to do chicken things, but every once in awhile he feels like testing his grits. Usually just runs then stops before making contact. He loves to fall asleep while being held and petted. He’s just figuring out his place in this world.
I hate that this day has come. I’m not one to “give up” on an animal. I figure out problems and adjust. Unfortunately I don’t see any other solution here and it breaks my heart. It’s not fair to him or the girls to continue on together. So I hope to find him a home with someone who will love him as much as I do but provide him with a better life than I can.
Sorry for the lengthy post, but he deserves a proper introduction. Please message me if you are looking for a new addition to your flock.
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I hope you find a good home for your cockerel!
