I started with four polish chicks, but then we had an 'incident' with my big pullets when attempting integration too early, and now we have 3. But the one who was killed was 99% a boy, and 2 out of the 3 left are 100% boys. I've heard both crow multiple times. I decided I'm going to keep 1 of them, since I would like to have a rooster and only if it was polish (They will be show birds, but nothing super serious. Just for fun at the county fair). So now I am torn between the two roosters. I don't have enough hens for two roosters, and only 1 would be useful to me (we aren't going to have freeloaders!).
One is Terry, a buff laced polish. He is currently the one I think I want to keep. He's adorable, sort of friendly (but all chicks are a little skittish), and is really brave. He challenges my Buff Orpington, Nugget, through the chicken wire when the pullets free range around them. I think this is good since I don't want the pullets to hurt the polish, and it's nice to know at least they'll have some sort of protection when I eventually integrate them.
The other is HeiHei, a golden laced polish. He is so funny! He definitely earns his name (the chicken in Moana). HeiHei is friendly, but doesn't have the protection trait like Terry. But I hate having to give away any of my chickens.
We are keeping Terry, HeiHei, and obviously their sister Elvira (white crested black) until the end of July. So my big question from all of this is that I'm wondering when they will mature, and if their personalities and temperment will change. I don't want to pick one and have it growing up to be a huge bully to my gals, and most importantly me. If any of my pullets try to challenge me, I quickly show them who's boss. But if the rooster is actually hurting me, it's not going to last much longer.
I'm looking for a friendly, pretty (but that doesn't matter a ton), brave rooster that will protect my flock slightly and give me funny polish mixes next Spring. When would I see them turning aggressive? Terry and HeiHei fight a little now, but the most they do is jump on each other's head and then go pout in the corner. So classic cockerel.
*They were all born on March 28th, 2018*
One is Terry, a buff laced polish. He is currently the one I think I want to keep. He's adorable, sort of friendly (but all chicks are a little skittish), and is really brave. He challenges my Buff Orpington, Nugget, through the chicken wire when the pullets free range around them. I think this is good since I don't want the pullets to hurt the polish, and it's nice to know at least they'll have some sort of protection when I eventually integrate them.
The other is HeiHei, a golden laced polish. He is so funny! He definitely earns his name (the chicken in Moana). HeiHei is friendly, but doesn't have the protection trait like Terry. But I hate having to give away any of my chickens.
We are keeping Terry, HeiHei, and obviously their sister Elvira (white crested black) until the end of July. So my big question from all of this is that I'm wondering when they will mature, and if their personalities and temperment will change. I don't want to pick one and have it growing up to be a huge bully to my gals, and most importantly me. If any of my pullets try to challenge me, I quickly show them who's boss. But if the rooster is actually hurting me, it's not going to last much longer.
I'm looking for a friendly, pretty (but that doesn't matter a ton), brave rooster that will protect my flock slightly and give me funny polish mixes next Spring. When would I see them turning aggressive? Terry and HeiHei fight a little now, but the most they do is jump on each other's head and then go pout in the corner. So classic cockerel.
*They were all born on March 28th, 2018*
