8 Week Old Barred Rock

[papajoesfarm]

Not all roosters are mean. And a nice rooster can coexist with children and pets.

I agree. Never had one that was out and out nasty for no reason. You cannot hit them to discipline them - that just teaches them to distrust you, and react in kind. The ones some folks might describe as aggressive or mean, were just doing their job - protecting the flock. I want that in a rooster, just as I do in a farm dog, or barn cat. You just have to be smart about your interactions with them. I don't let my grandchildren get around a young rooster with his hens, any more than I would let them out into a pasture with a bull. It's just plain "common sense", which is another way of saying "experience".

 

[MysteryChicken]

I have 3 barred rock chickens all 8 weeks old. One is quite a bit more white and larger than the other two. I have this feeling it may be male but I’m hoping it’s not as we don’t want any roosters. I’ve been researching but nothing is giving me a definite answer. I’ve heard what sounded like some clucking but it may be my imagination.
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1 cockerel, & 2 pullets.

 

[papajoesfarm]

Today my little guy turned 11 weeks old, and he celebrated by announcing it with his first crows. Hopped up on the pasture shelter, lifted his head up, and let go with a one note baritone. Then tried it four more times. It sounded like a buzzer. I had just let them out for the day. Not very loud, but definitely a crow. So he's a boy.

 

[papajoesfarm]

Well, "Taz" is definitely a rooster. But he is the most laid back one I ever owned. Not a daily crower, and when he does it sounds like a goat. At 16 weeks, he hasn't really figured out how to harness his diaphram. He will attempt to eat eveything he finds, and I've caught him trying to swallow things that are truly amazing in size. He already takes good care of the rest of his flock, leading them out and in, and gathering them up when he hears or sees a hawk. Not mean at all, looks over my shoulder when I'm out in his run, but doesn't circle behind me. Which is a good thing. Definitely a keeper. Wondering how your chick turned out?

He is always on the lookout for something to eat, both for his harem and himself.