Disappointing rooster

[sara1226]

I am new when it comes to having chickens. We started establishing our flock of 7 in May, and at first I didn't want a rooster. After I realized how much I enjoyed having chickens so much, I thought I would get a rooster too. Mainly for 2 reasons. 1. I wanted to hear the crowing. 2. I wanted to try raising chicks some day.

We got our English game mix rooster when he was 2 months old, and now he is around 4 months old. He is very pretty, and very friendly, he lets us hold him and hand feed him, but he is really disappointing me. He only made a whimpy attempt to crow over a month ago, and I'm not sure how successful he will be for breeding. He lets all the hens pick on him, and he just runs away from them. He isn't a gentleman rooster either... I read that some people's roosters will let the girls eat first, and he will watch out for predators... Not this guy! He eats first always, and is shy and silent around the girls. I've even seen the girls leave chips in his beak from picking on him.

Does anyone think this dynamic will ever change? I've thought about trying to find someone who might want to trade roosters, but I would miss seeing him around at the same time...

Advice?

 

[SJ]

Welcome to BYC!!! A hello from WI. It will change. Eventually. Many of the game breeds take a little longer to grow into themselves and a four month old is likely in puberty. My cockerels got hen pecked until about that age this year but now the hens are being over bred. It is time for them to find new homes. Likely that new home will be my freezer.LOL

If he is a bantam he may never rise in the pecking order enough to be a brood cock but many a banty roo has succeeded in said role. Give him a fair shake if you want to keep him (another month) or PM me if you are interested in another roo. I got some to spare.

 

[trailrider330]

Welcome to the BYC flock! We are glad you joined us!

Since your cockerel is only 4 months old he still has a lot of maturing to do. His crow, manners and position in the pecking order will likely change as he gets older. Just like humans, chickens mature at different rates and you basically have a cockerel just entering puberty. So, it's going to take him a little time to figure things out, but he should get it. He will know what to do when the time comes.

 

[Zinniah]

I am new when it comes to having chickens. We started establishing our flock of 7 in May, and at first I didn't want a rooster. After I realized how much I enjoyed having chickens so much, I thought I would get a rooster too. Mainly for 2 reasons. 1. I wanted to hear the crowing. 2. I wanted to try raising chicks some day.

We got our English game mix rooster when he was 2 months old, and now he is around 4 months old. He is very pretty, and very friendly, he lets us hold him and hand feed him, but he is really disappointing me. He only made a whimpy attempt to crow over a month ago, and I'm not sure how successful he will be for breeding. He lets all the hens pick on him, and he just runs away from them. He isn't a gentleman rooster either... I read that some people's roosters will let the girls eat first, and he will watch out for predators... Not this guy! He eats first always, and is shy and silent around the girls. I've even seen the girls leave chips in his beak from picking on him.

Does anyone think this dynamic will ever change? I've thought about trying to find someone who might want to trade roosters, but I would miss seeing him around at the same time...

Advice?

At least he is nice, that's really rare! Anyways he is only 4 months, i read online that some roosters don't start crowing and stuff until 7 months. I say give him more time, surely he will come around, he just hasn't hit his teenage years yet.

 

[aart]

He's too young to evaluate fully...give him time.