Can roosters go broody?

[Ma Noob]

I was out collecting the eggs today, I had let the chooks out to wander around the yard (the are doing an awfully good job clearing all the weeds) But when i went to collect the eggs a couple of the hens and the roo came back into the pen. The Roo (Clarence) was less than impressed with me picking up the eggs and looked as though he was ready to have a go at me, and as I tried to move out, he did have a go at me! Not a big one it was a bit of a half effort not like when ive tried to pick up one of his girls, but an go none the less.

Interestingly though, I have some new silkie chicks ranging from 2 to 5 weeks in age, which i took outside yesterday and the chooks had their first good look at yesterday. Ive also noticed Clarence having his merry way with the girls quite frequently of late and seems to be putting right effort into that too.

So im wondering is he maybe looking to settle down and have a couple of youngling? None of the girls seem interested in sitting on the eggs, none were there when i collected them. But i did wonder if he was a bit ticked at me that i picked them up.

 

[pgpoultry]

Some roos. wil be protective of chicks and occasionally a roo will sit on eggs for a while (?showing their 'feminine side'). Maybe he thought he was protecting 'his' expanding flock.

Whatever, you need to show him that you are 'the main man' otherwise his behaviour may worsen.

 

[Mahonri]

I've seen roos get a nest ready for one of his girls, but I've never seen one sit on eggs that were being brooded.

 

[Ma Noob]

Quote:
He got told thats for sure. The new chicks we have are silkies adn not from our flock, and i havent noticed any of the girls sitting on eggs or anything, But i wonder if he is trying to drop the hint to the girls LOL

 

[misterhandsome]

My roo walks mom and one week old chicks home from the run to the coop every evening and makes sure they're settled away in their *separate quarters* before going back out to the other girls. He's the only other bird that mom lets feed with the babies. So I don't know if you'd call that broody, but it's certainly protective!