Bold cockerel or problem child?

[Mrs. K]

I do not like a self feeding because I think it leads to rodents. So I too, feed for the day. I just check for eggs, fill clean water, wander around a bit, and watch...then feed.

Any rooster for whatever reason you don't like, goes. Especially if you don't have a bachelors quarters. As you get closer the the 4-5 month age, you need a dog crate and a long handled fishnet and a pair of good leather gloves at hand, in case you need to separate fighting cockerels.

And you need to really watch your pullets, groups of cockerels can run them ragged. So you may need to harvest, long before 16 weeks, at least some of them.

Mrs K

 

[Cierrascoop]

I believe Mrs K also gave me advice regarding food habits a little while back and it has worked wonders. I have a hen who is a foodie. Absolutely goes crazy and would nip my heels if she was too impatient for her food. She actually even lunged up and bit my hand as I was getting it out. Which is when I switched my routine up. I now take my time and do other things before getting their feed-unless I am in an absolute hurry. But the change made a difference in her behavior. She now doesnt just associate me as the food lady lol. She still has days where she gets a bit excited but nothing like before. They don't hoard me first thing in the mornings. As far as roosters go, I've had horrible luck this year. I went through FOUR before finally finding two who my ladies and I adore. Many people on this site told me that bad behavior isn't worth it with so many good ones out there, and I have to agree. As of now, the shoe biting is probably the biggest red flag. Chickens don't have hands so they do peck things out of curiosity, but it's something I would watch if you plan to keep him. His lack of respect for your space can quickly become very unpleasant. As I've unfortunately found out, many times.