Chicken "mutt" club!!!

[ChickNmamma]

Today, I remembered why I love my little mutts. They are so much more personable than their American Game mothers, but not quite as massive as their Rhode Island & Turken fathers. Like this one!



He just hopped up on my head and decided to take watch the flock from up high. I definitely want him to stay. Unfortunately, my sister has first pick of the roosters. I told her she could when I had to put down her favorite rooster. I think I might just hide this one from her come processing day, hehe!

Uh... when it comes processing time you may change your mind. When boys are not afraid of you and consider jumping on you - that's when you have trouble when the hormones kick in. Those become floggers and attack you and others... so just watch him and see. By 6 months you will know.

 

[LBejaran]

Uh... when it comes processing time you may change your mind.  When boys are not afraid of you and consider jumping on you - that's when you have trouble when the hormones kick in.  Those become floggers and attack you and others... so just watch him and see.  By 6 months you will know.

I've raised roosters for years, so I'm used to roosters like this. I don't need my roosters to be afraid of me, just respectful. I have loads of roosters that aren't afraid to come up to me and let me pick them up. None of them are violent (it isn't in their blood to be violent to people, I think. We got lucky with their parents being fairly tame for their breeds). I'm just happy because I've had only one other rooster who would jump up on my shoulder or head. He also never attacked me, he just quite jumping on my shoulder as he got older. I've found that the chicken's that jump up on me and nuzzle for food tend to be the ones that are the most tame as they get older.

I appreciate the concern, but I'm content to enjoy my happy chicken hopping on my shoulder. He normally just muzzles my hair and sleeps, but he aimed a bit high today and landed on my head, haha!

 

[ChickNmamma]

Quote:
Then you have, indeed, been very lucky with your breeder stock. We have had two aggressive ones I remember in the 30 years I have raised chickens (both were hatchery boys) that were hop on board when younger and attack you when older. Both were played with by kids as youngsters and had no respect for people. They usually only attacked me once or twice until I caught them, but they would go after anybody else around. Both ended up in the stew pot. None of the ones I have raised by myself ever did the attack mode more than once. If they don't respond to the training then they would be slated for camp kenmore. My neighbor had one "pet" "Barred Rock" who was given to him when he started attacking the owners (his grandkids) - that rooster would wait until your back was turned and you bent over for something - then he would charge. He only did that to me twice, the first time I couldn't catch him - the next time I caught him and we had a tussle - I won. He never did that to me again, but I would watch him and make sure. He still attacked the neighbors until one night he was carried off by something.

I am glad you have another friendly boy, those are nice to have. We had a few of those too, but none I recall flying up onto our heads. The closest that came to that are the Sumatras, and the Sillies that I can pick up and pet. So far of my new breeds the Welsummer is the friendliest ones. My mother's Game birds would rather not have anything to do with people

 

[LBejaran]

Then you have, indeed, been very lucky with your breeder stock.  We have had two aggressive ones I remember in the 30 years I have raised chickens (both were hatchery boys) that were hop on board when younger and attack you when older.  Both were played with by kids as youngsters and had no respect for people.  They usually only attacked me once or twice until I caught them, but they would go after anybody else around.  Both ended up in the stew pot.  None of the ones I have raised by myself ever did the attack mode more than once.  If they don't respond to the training then they would be slated for camp kenmore.  My neighbor had one "pet" "Barred Rock" who was given to him when he started attacking the owners (his grandkids) - that rooster would wait until your back was turned and you bent over for something - then he would charge. He only did that to me twice, the first time I couldn't catch him - the next time I caught him and we had a tussle - I won.  He never did that to me again, but I would watch him and make sure.  He still attacked the neighbors until one night he was carried off by something.

I am glad you have another friendly boy, those are nice to have.  We had a few of those too, but none I recall flying up onto our heads.  The closest that came to that are the Sumatras, and the Sillies that I can pick up and pet.  So far of my new breeds the Welsummer is the friendliest ones. My mother's Game birds would rather not have anything to do with people :/  

I have a couple that hop on up. Any cockerels that try an attack generally go for our ankles and shins, but I always wear jeans. Well, I have a couple hatchery roos that peck at my legs sometimes, but mostly so I'll give them food. None of them do it very hard or try to break skin. A friend of mine gave me some roosters she raised and they were absolutely awful. They would attack whenever they got the chance. I'm pretty sure it was due to her PETA roots because she never taught them who was boss. Ever since I've taken over, I've been taking on the alpha rooster role. I haven't had any attacks. Well, my sister did, but that was from a tiny frizzle rooster that was protecting his favorite hen. Still, he got picked up and was embarrassed in front of his hen. Since, we haven't had any issues.

Getting roosters can be hard, but I'm glad you've found a breed that works for you. Our little mixed birds either don't like being caught or are very social. It's a pretty good balance we have.

 

[MzPlacedHippie]

I found you! Yay! My chickens are production reds which are mutts by default and supposed Easter eggers who have only laid light brown and one lays a slight pink tint egg. They were given to me by my significant others coworker and I adore them!

Recently had three of the EE mixes go broody and I have 6 mutt babies so far! Even one game mix from a friend I slipped in with Tilly's brood.

I love these pics!!

 

[AvianEgo]

Here is my Wanda and her floppy comb.

 

[Kassaundra]

Here is a young mutt w/ a cool comb






and a herd of mutts attacking the fermented grain, they are taking advantage of us starting a new batch.

 

[ChickNmamma]

Here is a young mutt w/ a cool comb






and a herd of mutts attacking the fermented grain, they are taking advantage of us starting a new batch.

That is interesting - a melanized Polish comb? He looks mottled too - that is going to be one interesting looking bird!

 

[MzPlacedHippie]

Love his mottled coloring!

 

[CarolinaHen]

New thread for Baladi chickens! These are for mixes specifically for egg laying.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/831760/baladi-thread