Chicken tidbitting at owner

[BoundlessLove]

I also recommend Speckled Sussex. Very friendly and very chatty

 

[Elle111]

Thank you, that sounds really nice

 

[McChooky]

All my Bantam Cochin hens were great; my Bantam Cochin rooster was a mean, little jerk who seemed to hate me. He is now living at someone else's property and we're both happier, I'm sure.

My rooster is 'in training' not to choose violence but if all else fails I'll replace him come spring with one of the cockerels hatched recently

 

[redinator]

My rooster is 'in training' not to choose violence but if all else fails I'll replace him come spring with one of the cockerels hatched recently

"Make them regret the decision to choose violence " My cockerel only goes after people he doesn't know. Guess I'll be arming them with a spray bottle.

 

[McChooky]

"Make them regret the decision to choose violence " My cockerel only goes after people he doesn't know. Guess I'll be arming them with a spray bottle.

Liquid encouragement

 

[Elle111]

I think I'll pass on the roosters lol

 

[McChooky]

I think I'll pass on the roosters lol

They say they can make good pets as long as you don't have hens

 

[redinator]

I think I'll pass on the roosters lol

If all you want is hens for eggs to eat, then that's a good decision.

 

[fuzzi]

Roosters

I've only dealt with 4 roosters since 2023 when I brought home Sussex chicks.

Joel was brooder raised, no adult hens. He was friendly with me except as a cockerel, but I don't recall anything besides a peck or so as his hormones raged. He became a good roo, took care of his gals, and tolerated Samuel. One day he had a seizure and died, 13 months old.

Samuel took over, and I didn't notice anything amiss about how he treated the gals. One day he attacked me as I was bent over getting an egg out of the nesting box. My face was bruised, sore and I had a cut next to my eye. Samuel went on my list, his time was limited. Martha had brooded five chicks, I found one lying cold with a peck hole in its head (he revived), but when I caught Samuel attacking his own chicks, I removed him, permanently.

Little Chick, the pecked one, became Zaccheus. He was raised by the hens, mercilessly. When he started feeling his oats he tried attacking my legs. It didn't hurt, so I just stood there. After a few days of futile assaults on my legs he gave up, and we've had a good relationship since. When Rahab hatched chicks he was curious, but gentle. He's a good roo.

About six weeks younger than Zaccheus is Silas. He never gave Zack any issues, and when he was about a year old I gave him his own coop with his own gals. He only went after me once when I was sitting on a chair inside the run, trying to treat an injury on one of his hens. She squawked, and he slammed me in the legs. I said in a quiet voice "What do you think you're doing?" and he backed off, looking confused.

My current roosters never have been petted or cuddled, they respect me and I respect them. I give them treats to give to their gals, so I don't usurp their position.

Not all roosters are jerks.

 

[Callender Girl]

I've never had a Bantam version, but my Speckled Sussex, Bronwyn, is one of my favorite hens. She is friendly and chatty, and LOVES to "help" me.

Mostly that means if I'm trying to clean coops, she wants to dig into whatever I've already piled up and re-distribute it all over the place. If I'm trying to plant something or pull weeds, she wants to dig in the dirt with me. If I'm trying to dump and refill the duck pond or water tank, she wants to get underneath and search for worms. Very, very helpful girl!

She turned 6 years old in March and is showing no signs of slowing down.