Enlisting the stud services of a feral rooster

[Zane K]

I live in Uptown New Orleans and I have six chickens. I have two white rock roosters, one white rock hen, and three red star hens. They are about 12 weeks old. I want to breed them when the time comes, however, I do not want to have a rooster as I already have unfriendly neighbors. I am going to eat them the minute they start to crow. I am considering using a feral rooster that wanders around my neighborhood. I like him because he is tough as nails, having lived in the same mulberry tree since being set free during Hurricane Katrina. I have many questions.

Is it a bad idea to introduce an old rooster to the flock for any reason (disease, aggression, etc.)? Will this ancient rooster be able to mate at all? Will the resulting hybrid strain likely be inferior to purebred chickens in any way? How is the best way to catch a rooster that has avoided capture for all these years?

There are at least three roosters remaining in my neighborhood which I will try to get pictures of soon.

Thank you very much.

 

[ilovemydogs]

Sorry that I can not help you but please have a snowball for me today

 

[Peter1975]

I say let him in to have some fun.....after what he's been through he deserves it.

 

[Pele]

Hrm, this is a tough call. If your hens are free-ranging, then you probably already have been enjoying his stud-services without even being aware of it.

His age could prove a problem, as fertility does decline with age, but that is dependant on the individual roo. He could still be fertile, it's entirely possible.

As far as disease, that is very much something to worry about. If he is not carrying mites and worms, I'd pass out from shock. Those very easily could pass to your hens.

Your best bet would be to live-trap him and pen him alone for a month while you treat him for mites and parasites while watching for disease. Once he gets a clean bill of health, pen him with the girls.

 

[Zane K]

Thanks Pele and others. How is the best way to trap him though? I will try to get pics of all the roosters in my hood soon so i can get advice on the best breeding stock. He is not currently visiting my flock, because I keep them contained (they have about 2 feet by 12 feet indoors and 4 feet by 6 feet outdoors) due to the fact that there is an Abyssinian cat that lives next door that is constantly killing birds and lizards for fun.

 

[Indigosands]

Eh I think you're worrying too much about catching this guy. There's no shortage of unwanted roosters. I'd wait till your girls are laying then post a wanted ad or heck, just check your local cragslist and I'll bet you'll have your choice of stud roosters for free and you don't even need to worry about trapping one.

 

[Zane K]

Indigosands- good advice, but I really want to breed this guy. There were about 30 wild chickens in my hood after katrina, and there are now only four. The one near my house lives in the wild roosting in a tree even when it is freezing cold and raining. I have seen a bunch of threads on this forum about chickens that might die from disease without medication, and this rooster is perfectly healthy in the wild. I want his genetics.

 

[AuberyMirkwood]

I have no advice but I'd love to see a pic of this guy

 

[Indigosands]

Indigosands- good advice, but I really want to breed this guy. There were about 30 wild chickens in my hood after katrina, and there are now only four. The one near my house lives in the wild roosting in a tree even when it is freezing cold and raining. I have seen a bunch of threads on this forum about chickens that might die from disease without medication, and this rooster is perfectly healthy in the wild. I want his genetics.

I'd like to see him as well! Do you think maybe animal control might be willing to help you?

 

[Leslieb118]

Wait until it's dark. You should be able to pluck him right out of that tree, if you can reach him.