Are roosters dangerous to their offspring? (MANY questions)

[racuda]

I can tell you that the Cochin roosters are sweethearts! I took a picture last night of a Serama chick roosting on top of the rooster, nestled down in his hackle feathers, with just her head sticking out. I'll post it when I get home.

 

[RockyPhoenix]

Quote:
i agree! it also has to do with the temperament of your momma hen...i have one hen that when the rooster came within ten feet of her she would tackle him i mean literally knock him away...its hysterical...anyway if you have an aggressive mother than there is a less likely chance of having a caualty as opposed to having a more docile and submissive hen who wouldnt do much to protect her young...best of luck!

 

[racuda]

Here's the pic I promised:

 

[Morgan7782]

ohmygosh. that picture is ADORABLE!!!! aw what a sweet guy! that is good to know about the hens as well. You want them to set limits for their babies. Thanks for the info guys

I would really love to get into breeding chickens, but first I need to learn a lot

 

[Doodle_Doo]

yeah i guess it depends on the breed..my phoenix rooster wont hurt them but also wont defend them..
but when i had my sumatra rooster with his chicks he foght to protect them..even from regular song birds
that happened to stop on the lawn hahaha

 

[Lollipop]

Breed has a lot to do with it, so does individualism, but the single most important issue is the maturity of the rooster. An immature rooster is a danger to chicks, just like any females other than the mother. An older, mature cock will not harm chicks. He may not protect them from other chickens, but he will not harm them. Exceptions, of course, but I have never seen it........Pop

 

[jafo]

Hi Peeple, We have 4 new Orpington chicks. They are going on 4 weeks, starting to get feathered out. We put them out daily in a small pen, and the "others" are quite interested. Ol "Blue" runs right up to the pen, then runs up the bank and calls to them to follow. Our mature Roo "Blue" has only 2 mature hens left in his flock, as we lost one to prolapse, and two (and still counting) to a large red tail hawk. We free range. and there are a lot of predators around. Our only problem, is the hawk. When the chicks are at 6 weeks, we plan on putting them in the coop with the others. No mom, no nothing, just trust in the roo. In February, there was a heck of a comotion in the yard. I went to check, there was blood and feathers everywhere, and Blue was missing a spur. He was not hurt, nor any of the hens, the feathers were hawk. Unfortunately, the hawk has mastered the swoop up the driveway, through the overhanging trees to the open powerline. His time is coming. Integrating the newbies this way seems to be working. Soon, one morning, they'll all wake up with each other!