Do I want this rooster? Update: He killed a hen Update: Sunday

[Critter Crazed]

He's gorgeous!!
I agree with the others, if he's nice to your girls and to you and your family why not keep him? He has an extra watchful eye to make sure your girls won't get in trouble.

I love my chickens but I LOOOVE my roo.

 

[JetBlack]

If I lived in Podunk, I'd've been more than willing to keep my rooster. If it'd looked like that one? I might have caught it and moved to the country. That is one good looking bird. Is it a neighbor's?

 

[chicnfarmer]

Quote:
x2!

 

[JetBlack]

More pics!

 

[DDRanch]

Monday morning update:

Thank you all for your wise, sensible and funny advice. I am learning and laughing at the same time. OK, here's what happened on sunday.

I did let the girls out in the am for a meet and greet. It turned into a chase and jump. Remember my girls have not ever had a man around. If chickens could salivate, I think he was when he saw me open the door. The girls rushed out...not to see him, but they have not been out for a couple of days. They tried to ignore him, but he would drop one wing, rustle it, circle and try to jump one. I thought courtship took some time and finesse? No? The hen would run away and then he would try another, with the same lack of success. Only my older astrolorpe (the one he jumped on in the field the first day) submitted to him. But she threw him off rather quickly. The girls were frightened with all the chasing and 3 of them actually flew over the fence into the path of Jake the golden retriever. They have never flown over this fence before so they definietly wanted to get away from him. Jake, the gentleman that he is did not go after the girls and I was able to get them back into the proper yard, back into their pen and Rooster was now off limits. All day long, he paced, crowed and circled the run. Later in the day, he came to the back door of my house on the hill and crowed some more. Then he sat on the fence and continued his antics.

He gave one last crow just about dusk and then went home....but was back this morning at 5:15 sharp.

I fixed some lettuce for him to eat on the outside and the girls to eat on the inside.

My chicken friend who has roosters is coming over this afternoon to access the situation. As an experienced rooster person (which I am not) she will be able to monitor him with the girls and see if all could go well. I will report after her visit.

 

[gryeyes]

Just so you know, the actual mating act lasts SECONDS. Literally. So even though your girl shrugged him off quickly, the deed may have been done. Completely.

I think it's great he did the dance for 'em!

Roosters are such randy boys. Mine tags every single girl he can get as they come out of the coop in the morning.

 

[molly d]

That photo of him on the fence is beautiful! Great shot!!

 

[bibliophile birds]

Quote:
hehehe. that happens a lot around here too. first thing in the am, it's like the boys have to get their fun before breakfast. it's particularly hilarious to see all 4 of them lined up at the bottom of the ramp waiting for the right girl to walk by. it's like being at a singles bar.

DD, you will probably have better luck introducing them in the pen, just so the girls won't escape and put themselves in harms way. it's going to be a big adjustment for them, but he sounds like an ok little man. if you're in the pen with them, it shouldn't be hard to get him away from the girls if you need to. catching a romancing rooster is about as easy as shooting fish in a barrel... they are superbly single minded for those few moments.

i do love that charming little dance!

 

[DDRanch]

Monday afternoon update:

My chicken friend came over to access the situation and told me I was the problem !!! Well, of course I knew that and she turned out to be right. We let out the girls, sat quietly near by and watched the interaction. He danced for a few minutes, jumped on Mary Alice (the older black australorpe) and then just quietly visited with the girls while chatting them all up. A meet and greet that went extremely well.

I was charmed when he picked up a little piece of bread and offered it to Mary Grace.

I was surprised when Mary Alice flirted ( I think she is his favorite and the feelings are mutual)

After 30 minutes or so, everyone went into the shade of the tree for a little time out and nap. Even Jake participated from the other side of the fence.

I have given my permission for him to spend the night. At the moment, they are all just hanging around. He is not chasing them and they are not trying to get away. I caught him snuggling with Mary Alice in a dustbath. Will report in the morning. He is a handsome one.

 

[wilson71895]

Quote:
he sounds like a very sweet boy.its just his nature to mate.i think he looks like a LB leghorn? could it be? very pretty boy nun the les.