Dominique Thread!

[blueclip]

Hi everyone--

I just bought 9 dom chicks a month ago and I have 6 pullets and three cockerels. I am going to get rid of two males and keep one but my question is: are dominique roosters calm and nice just like the hens? I let mine free range and spend a lot of time with them and pet them. I also received these guys from a breeder and even saw their parents. What do you think?

 

[Alaskan]

My roosters have been pretty good.

I suffer from brain wipe.... Can't remember if I had had a mean one. I just know my current one is nice, even with my little kids. Actually I have been pleased with him since even though he makes sure that he stays top cock, he doesn't beat the tar out of the lower cocks.

 

[centrarchid]

Mine are generally good natured although they go through a stage that last a couple months where they are rambunctious. This starts when they are about 5 months old but is done by the time their adults feathers are fully in at about 8 months.

 

[cupofJoelene]

Hi everyone--

I just bought 9 dom chicks a month ago and I have 6 pullets and three cockerels. I am going to get rid of two males and keep one but my question is: are dominique roosters calm and nice just like the hens? I let mine free range and spend a lot of time with them and pet them. I also received these guys from a breeder and even saw their parents. What do you think? 

I have an overwhelming number of cockerels out of my straight run of 10 from spring. A few are starting to get pecky with my hand when I reach for them even though they get very regular cuddles from us... But it's never major and I believe it has a lot to do with how many they are competing with in the coop. I'm waiting a big longer to see how the feather out and mature before deciding on who to keep, but I'm thinking the sooner the better because without 5-6 to compete with they're really very sweet! When I do get a peck it's only because they weren't paying much attention to it being my hand and did it reactively like they do when another cockerel gets in too close. Then they stop and go, oh! Nevermind, I like you!

 

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Now by rambunctious at 5-8 months old, do you mean they are mean to their owners? Or are they just full of energy because their hormones are all over the place?

 

[centrarchid]

To other chickens.

 

[Lois from KY]

I have a couple of pics of "Roscoe" but they're not that good. If I can find the time I'm going to take more pics. He's one solid clump of a rooster He's 17 months so I believe he's as big as he's going to get. All of the chickens are going thru molt now so most of them look pretty scraggley LOL.

 

[Lois from KY]

We started out with 5 Buff Orpington roosters, 5 Black Jersey giant roosters and 1 Dominique roosters. The Buff orpington and Black Jersey giant roosters we ended up separating them from the hens because they became so aggressive we couldn't get in the fenced in area with them. Now that the only rooster is the Dominique they're all extremely calm and we can go in the fenced in area and do whatever needs to be done. Plus we allow them to free range every evening. The Dom rooster has never shown any signs of being aggressive.

 

[Alaskan]

We started out with 2 Buff Orpington roosters, 2 Black Jersey giant roosters and 1 Dominique roosters. The Buff orpington and Black Jersey giant roosters we ended up separating them from the hens because they became so aggressive we couldn't get in the fenced in area with them. Now that the only rooster is the Dominique they're all extremely calm and we can go in the fenced in area and do whatever needs to be done. Plus we allow them to free range every evening. The Dom rooster has never shown and signs of being aggressive. 

Very nice to know!

 

[Lucky Lemon]

I have a couple of pics of "Roscoe" but they're not that good. If I can find the time I'm going to take more pics. He's one solid clump of a rooster He's 17 months so I believe he's as big as he's going to get. All of the chickens are going thru molt now so most of them look pretty scraggley LOL.

It always surprises me how different they all look. This is my Dominique roo, he's a fiesty mean thing, but protects the girls.