Brand New Roo!

[TheTwoRoos]

I always hold him when she pets him. She tries to pet the girls outside but they run from her lol so I'm not overly worried. I never thought of it as respect. Not exactly fear either but idk I guess I was just used to the girls squatting down when I approach.

They can all see each other, it's actually pretty funny because he sits on a shoe organizer in front of the window and whenever one of them walks past or gets up onto the porch he like spazzes out and calls to them lol they just look at him like Why do *you* get to be in the house??

I have 3 RSL's and 2 EEs. All hens. It cracks me up because my smallest hen is the size of him. (I've never had a bantam or even seen one up close so it amuses me just how tiny he is)

He doesn't peck me or my daughter though, or show any aggression really (yet), and I don't really let the dogs get close enough - he's in the kitchen and my shepherd/Doberman is about 4 feet away. Each mind in their own business. So I guess I'll just get him used to my voice and calls, and get him used to the cold gradually and hope for the best! Personally I can't wait to get him out because his crow, while tiny, is so loud in a single-wide

A lot of times hens who do not have a rooster or never have,are easy to come by.I remember our hens very first rooster,it went smooth,they take to them instantly when never have seen one.there were only about 2 squabbles with mine.

 

[LulaGirl6]

Thanks for the constructive criticism everyone. As of now, when he's upstairs with us he's either locked in our mudroom for easy (and often) cleanup. I go out there about every hour and pick up droppings and sweep. I don't just let him destroy the place. He crows all day in there. When I bring him in the living room/kitchen to socialize and get him used to us, he never crows but just mills about making his little clucking sounds and picking up crumbs from the floor. He never gets too close really to any of us, but follows me around at a safe distance, and the times that I do pick him up he does try to get away but my arms are longer than his stride so I catch him lol. He's definitely a sweetheart for a rooster but that doesn't mean he won't get grumpy when his hormones really kick in. Obviously when he is ready to go outside and my daughter is around any of them I'm not going to let her just run off after them, I keep a close eye on her at all times. What kind of parent do you think I am lol. No offense taken or meant, I'm just clarifying things. He'll be going out soon and I'll continue to keep all of you updated. Thanks again for all the tips everyone

 

[TheTwoRoos]

I think they were just warning you to becareful.people let their kids run loose and chase roosters all the time,even aggressive ones,and something allways ends up hurt.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sounds like you'll do fine.

Just FYI... my birds are plenty healthy. Never lost one. But when we started processing or extra cockerels, did see a couple bugs crawling. Never saw anything on the girls that hang out on my lap a lot. So even places with good practice can have issues they don't realize.

Other thing is... I would bring in a little if your dirt in a dish for him to pack around and gain some immunity to your place as well.

Personally, I refuse to feed my boys layer. The added calcium is hard on the kidneys long term and can (doesn't mean will) ultimately cause failure in non laying birds including molting hens, growing chicks, and roosters. For my mixed age and gender flock, I go with a 20% protein flock raiser, which has 1% calcium and OS on the side for layers. I also don't think it's enough protein to support their development. Many people feed their roos layers with no problem, that they know of. But without a necropsy, who's to say? Those who switched said their roos lifespans increased an average of a couple years comparatively. Most layer feed has 4% calcium... if you pay attention you will see the trade off is the protein that gets nixed.

I don't have young kids. But the roosters will challenge my dogs first. I do agree with The Two Crows that we can do things to make it worse. And I am a cock block sometimes!

Well, anytime they try mating within reaching distance.

It's true though that if your girls are just a bit older they will probably do good teaching him some manners. Some roosters are very good boys. And you will have fun watching him drop his wing a do a little shuffle dance. He will also make a clucking sound to call the ladies to treats as well as his normal serenade sound! And it will probably be a bit later than that before he actually becomes protective of the girls. It's all part of a maturing process that will come naturally. Slightly different timing for everyone because they are all individuals regardless of breed. Cochin hens are supposed to be fairly docile, maybe the roos are to.

Ah the joys of chicken TV!

 

[Mrs. K]

Please do not think I was disrespecting your parenting. Sometimes people do not have a lot of experience with roosters, and think that if they are pets, they will be nice, and that is not always true. I was trying to keep your child safe. Roosters have been known to attack people without any provocation. This forum is full of posts where a sweet rooster became the nightmare with no reason. An adult being attacked is going to receive the brunt of it it on their legs or lower body. A smaller child can have that attack at his/her shoulders, face and head.

This does not meant all roosters attack, but some do, without much warning. I have had 6 roosters over the years. Five of them were fine, just kept a slight distance from me, moved out of my way, took care of the girls. The other, became more and more brave. When I saw him eyeing my niece, I dispatched him.

Be aware, be very aware when mixing kids and roosters.

Mrs K

 

[LulaGirl6]

I know, no harm done I wasn't trying to disregard you either, so please accept my apology. He really is very sweet for a rooster and has only shown aggression one time to my dog but that's understandable - I don't think he was around other animals in his previous home. That being said, I always always keep a close eye on my daughter and the chickens when they're near each other. My lead hen can be somewhat of a meany as well so I never let them get too close unless I'm holding one of them. Thank you for your concern, and again I hope I didn't offend you either. Happy clucking!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Got my first good attack to the back of my leg while I was bent over yesterday!

Yes, it was from my coddled Swedish Flower boy! The one I wished to breed.

I quit coddling him once I was given the information. And started walking through him and all that stuff... may have been too late. Yes, early on when he started mating he would come try to pull girls out of my lap. While his brothers would give my dogs the stink eye and sometimes go after them, they always respected my space.

I think it may have happened a couple times before because I felt something "brush" the back of my leg but when turned around he seemed to be standing there innocently.

Well, recently he has become the last cockerel. So maybe he's feeling a little cocky... and trying to establish his place. And yesterday I felt this stinging or burning on the back of my calf. I was startled as it was unprovoked and we were all just hanging out. But when I turned around he was standing there ready to fight me. I'm sure he is feeling the need to establish himself as he was definitely not at the top of the pecking order with his brothers. I was wearing sweat pants and could feel the stinging for a good time afterwards, like 15 minutes or more. Can definitely see how that would be a problem for shorter kids and for my dogs. And it's ALWAYS to my back!

@Mrs. K Thanks for the info! It definitely will help ALL of my future rooster experiences.