Daughter needs to know cockerel's breed for Fair. Not what we expected! (?)

[SweetSilver]

I have had several heart-to-hearts about the roos. Bantams only come in straight runs, and our poultry leader ordered a mix. That's where I think we ended up with some surprises, and I think 2 of our bantie ee's are with him. It was hard to tell them all apart, mostly.

They had finally let go of giving away Draco (even for stew) when he died unexpectedly. I felt bad, but he was not missed. I have explained that roos can lose their sweetness as they age, and they are seeing it firsthand. I have also explained we will under no circumstances buy straight run again until all our cockerels are dead and buried. Some are quite sweet for now, including all the Wyandottes. We have a sweet bantam cochin cockerel and a rabble-rousing Quail Antwerp (I love our little bantam bearded D'Anvers!) who is too tiny to cause much trouble (yet). So, we currently have seven (count'em) SEVEN little guys. At least the others are bantams and our little pullets are not in danger of being squashed. I am more worried now about violence between the roos which can be rather frightening.

So far, they are not aggressive to the girls. They can be standoffish (which is good) or calm (which is also good.) None yet seem to be protective of the pullets, but that can change.

And I've told the girls that, too. Hopefully this experience will help them understand what trouble they can be. Or, the boys will remain calm and prove me wrong instead.

Thanks again for all the links! Maybe someone can teach me how to caponize these little dudes. Really!

 

[dretd]

Thanks again for all the links! Maybe someone can teach me how to caponize these little dudes. Really!

If you are serious about learning to caponize, there are numerous threads here on BYC. These two have really good photos, if you are not squeamish:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/210041/how-to-caponize-a-rooster-warning-graphic-pics
and
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/675898/graphic-pics-of-my-day-learning-to-caponize

eta: For straight runs, you may be able to look at a group of day-olds and get and idea if they are male or females, no guarantees. I have been able to do this twice out of 2 tries--one with Silkies and one with Sebrights. First time with the Silkie I was with a friend and I could tell by comparing the two combs they were very different-the male's was much wider than the females. I guessed right but thought it was luck. This last time a friend brought Sebrights for me to raise and I looked at him and said I thought one was male and one female because the male's comb was wider and the point was much more apparent on the suspect male and sure enough he was. I guess my point is that once you gain a lot of experience with chickens, you may be able to notice subtle differences between hatch-mates that may help you increase your odds of picking a hen.

 

[SweetSilver]

OK, not that serious about caponizing. The pictures weren't bad, but this is waaaay more involved than I am up to.

Thanks anyway. I tried searching once, but came up empty, so I appreciate the help!

 

[NovaAman]

Sometimes you have to wait for the cockerels to get past the butt head teenage stage. That is where a cockerel/bachelor pad and pen come in handy.

I have 2 roosters and one cockerel right now. AND the best thing, the main dude, Mr. Fluffers is very laid back. Not people aggressive. Roger, my forever home boy is also non people aggressive, but is very very protective of his girls and a good daddy. He is a silkie. He's survived a scalping from a hawk, and shortly after that, a coon attack, and managed to save 3 chicks out of the 8. Lost his tail in the process. Love that guy, and then there is Rod Stewart, who is the offspriing of Mr. Fluffers and a bantam cochin. He also has a great temprament. SO, I am very very lucky in my Roosters. Even when I had 9 running around before processing, they were all good to people for the most part. It was the hens who were stressed out! Well anyway, give the ones you are going to keep a chance. My cockerel that I kept out of the last lot, he's actually calmed quite a bit, has 2 girls of his own that never leave him and he takes very good care of them. Just had to get past that teenager jerk a puss stage.

 

[SweetSilver]

We are building a new coop and garden/run at our new property, and yes, we will be building a bachelor pad/ love shack/ broody shack/ solitary confinement/ hospital ward. Soon. Nesting boxes first, and my dh, a gardener, is fed up with building and says that's my job!