Cockeral playing active Dad role!

[debadoodledoo]

I have new chicks to my pair of blue pekins
The chicks seem content to go under the cock as well as the hen!
He doesn't leave his wifes side
Has anyone ever heard of the dad playing an active Daddy role?

 

[Chicks R Friends NOT Food]

I've read it in other posts, so it's not unheard of. Some roosters sit in the laying box every day with the hens, or a certain favorite hen.

 

[red rosecomb]

My black rosecomb mix did the same with his moms new brood, didnt try to mate her. he just stayed by her side and helped in keeping the chicks warm and showing them wher food was.

IT WAS JUST SO CUTE!!!

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

Yes, I have a roo that is a better moma than the hens! He scratches up bugs for them and clucks to them and then he steps back watching them eat. He stands at the door of the coop every single evening and clucks to all the chicks to get in and then they come out flying from every direction to his calls. He lives in our nursery coop where all the babies and juvies live. He will even let them sleep under him on the roost. I love this roo for this!

It is so wonderful to see them be so fatherly.

 

[debadoodledoo]

Yes it is wonderful as long as he doesn't file for custody! LOL

 

[BorderKelpie]

I caught mine doing something similar. My cat snuck into the coop. Christian (the roo) was on him like gangbusters. When I got the cat out of the coop and turned to tell Christian what a brave (stupid, but brave) boy he was, I saw him huddled over about 5 chicks. None of them were his. I hatched them myself, raised them in the house and intergrated them into the flock. I had no idea he would do something like that. I thought it was pretty cool that the chicks knew to go to him and hide under him. He was softly clucking to them, like he was tryig to soothe them. I was so impressed. I knew hens were awesome moms, but who knew roos were such good dads? I know a lot of people that could learn some parenting skills from my chickens! lol

 

[goldeneggtees]

Makes me wanna get a roo! That is just so cool that they sometimes behave that way!

 

[ams3651]

my roo doesnt chase the youngsters like the hens do. Ive seen them stand next to him while they are eating something like a treat or scratch because they know he wont chase them away.

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
Sometimes being the operative word.

It is not unheard of at all. Is it normal for the cock to be an "active dad?"

Not so much, no. But as with people, there are all sorts of things chickens will do that don't fit what is "normal." At least we view them that way.

I wonder if you can sue a dead beat cockerel for support?

 

[debadoodledoo]

LOL Davaroo

I wouldnt bother using the CSA they are rubbish at getting money, my daughter has been waiting ten years!!

Funny my cockeral is a better Dad than my Ex what a funny world we live in!!