*Buff Orpington Thread!*

[Arielle]

I'm hoping! I hear mixed things about roos. Some say the sweetest cockerels turn out to be mean roosters and some say never to hand-raise a cockerel. I didn't know he was a boy until WAY after I handled the chicks. All the Buffs were so sweet. Pretty much everyone is in agreement that Buffs are a sociable and tender breed so I have hope that he will be strong but tolerable. So far so good.

Handling the chicks is not the problem. Spoiling and letting the chicken be in charge is the basis for the "some say never to hand-raise a cockerel". In the end, each bird is an individual. While generalizations can be discussed, you need to deal with the individual. Some roosters are more difficult than others. IF he is too much to deal with--gone. A breed stay sociable and tender because those that are not--gone.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I'm hoping! I hear mixed things about roos. Some say the sweetest cockerels turn out to be mean roosters and some say never to hand-raise a cockerel. I didn't know he was a boy until WAY after I handled the chicks. All the Buffs were so sweet. Pretty much everyone is in agreement that Buffs are a sociable and tender breed so I have hope that he will be strong but tolerable. So far so good.

Its sound advice not making friends with a ROO, but fortunately your ROO is a Buff Orpington. The Buff is a much milder tempered breed than some of the others. Orpington ROOs take to training much better and should they attempt to establish dominance and challenge a human, they can be more consistantly broken from these bad habits.

Take care of the problem while the ROO is young. Once they get set in their ways, behavior modification in any breed is difficult to almost impossible. If you happen to wind up with one of those rare Buffs that just won't take to being taught how to behave, make him the center piece of an up coming meal. You do not want those genetics in your flock.

 

[redjackson]

This is my BO Ernesto! He is very good to his gals and has only pushed me once...which in return I chased him all around the yard and has returned to his mild ways. He is my first BO and since I have purchased 2 more which are 3 month old pullets. Ive enjoyed them very much and have only praises for them...

 

[thedragonlady]

Handling the chicks is not the problem. Spoiling and letting the chicken be in charge is the basis for the "some say never to hand-raise a cockerel". In the end, each bird is an individual. While generalizations can be discussed, you need to deal with the individual. Some roosters are more difficult than others. IF he is too much to deal with--gone. A breed stay sociable and tender because those that are not--gone.

Too true! I have an 8 month old cockerel, named Clifford, who is now head roo. He came from a line heavily mixed with show birds, with I think maybe some hatchery stock, mixed in years ago. The old lady who raised this line stood for no nonsense, and happily stewed those who didn't perform up to her expectations.What I ended up with is a small flock of Buff Os that lay an egg a day, even through 2 weeks of 100+ heat, and a Cockerel who knows what being a head roo is all about. Here's what I think being a head roo is all about......

When goodies are thrown out, Clifford does not eat them, but calls his girls. He will drop a treat for the girls, or for one of his chicks to eat.While the birds are out ranging, he is constantly running back and forth to all the different age groups checking on them. At the same time he has his eye out for predators, or for any of the young cockerels who are getting in trouble such as picking on chicks, or fighting. He stops that immediately.

During this heat wave he has managed this flock so that they would survive...with my help of course. Any time I put out more cold water, spray down the sand, or turn on a fan, Clifford calls his flock to me. I have been thrilled to see this. We are not breeding canaries. We are breeding Orps, no matter how beautiful, who should have some survival instincts.

While Clifford is totally gentle with me, he views with suspicion any strange man initially. All I do is tell him,"No", and he leaves that person alone. He did run off the tax accessor who came unannounced to see what I had done recently, though. Good boy!

 

[Arielle]

I have rotties and I have stallions, too. Socializing has made for easier handling. WHen I recently bought a nice trio, the man said his kids regularly play with the chicks to socialize them. All genders. I don't back down to a rooster or a stallion, they learn with consistent training what is expected. I only have one rooster that is a problem sometimes. I just know he won't be here fore ever. ANd he is half RIR, those are the same hens that peck our hands every time I collect eggs. ARggg! None of his sons have been a problem. I was expectly at least one to follow dad, but not so far. Most people don't know how to train, and the result is problem boys with lots of testosterone. Many people "play" with their horses but never actually teach respect; the horse runs the place. THe same thing happens with rosters, IMO.

 

[thedragonlady]

Old English Mastiff breeder and horse gal here too!

 

[HallFamilyFarm]

Quote:

 

[Arielle]

Old English Mastiff breeder and horse gal here too!

 

[AnimalCrazed]

Old English Mastiff breeder and horse gal here too!

I would love that!! (jellous)

 

[chickenlover89]

this is my suspected rooster! He is 4 wks old, and my sweetest chicken!




(this is why he is a suspected rooster, look at the red on that comb at 1 month old!)