FLORIDA!!!!!ALWAYS SUNNY SIDE UP!!!

[tigercreek]

That's a lot of chicken!! looks like you had several nice ones to choose from, I think I like the last pic best. looks like really good lines on him. ...stan

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

That is the big one. He seems to have head roo statis and followed me into the barn when I tryed to get pics of the late bloomer. The late bloomer likes to hang out with the hens. Since he was on top of a ten ft. wall I would have needed to get the ladder to get a decent pic. I also took some of he hens and I'll get them up later. I had a bunch of chores to do. LOL There's always somethin.

 

[MyTDogs]

Ingrid those birds are beautiful!

How old are they? Maybe I should think about an Aussie rooster...

 

[MyTDogs]

None of the FL folks have any words of wisdom for a newbie?

I think my rooster is just reaching maturity...he is about7-8 months old & a hatchery buff orpington. I didn't really want a rooster when I got him but now that he has been here I am kinda liking the idea. I fell into this breed because that is what my friend has & I got them from her. I was happy to read that the breed is known for being friendly and I hoped he'd be true to type. Usually when I walk towards him he gives me a wide berth & he has been respectful of the dogs (border collies-who are not aggressive towards him). My runner ducks & drakes seem to push him around too.

Unfortunately this week he is not acting like a warm friendly BO. I was coming in the front gate a couple days ago & he jumped at me. Yesterday he was poking around my feet while I was sitting in the yard & I lifted my foot to shoo him away a bit & he came at me. I stood up & went right at him & kicked out (I had on sneakers) and made glancing blows under his chin each time he jumped & flapped at me ...probably 4 times in all. He wasn't injured & really didn't even seem phased at all but he did back down. Tonight when I got home I was preparing to put out some feed like always & my 14 1/2 year old dog was out with me. and he went after her. It was a halfhearted attempt but it really ****** me off because she is old & frail and was not even paying attention to the birds. I yelled & booted him right in the butt- again in sneaks- and made a good connection some feathers came out & he jumped away. After that he was very respectful/fearful and avoided me like the plague.

I am really new to chickens but I have read a lot of info about rooster issues. I think I either need to rehome him or put him in the crockpot (not sure I can do this myself). Am I being too hard on him? Jumping the gun? He is young so might he grow out of it?

My inclination is to look for another roo, from show lines (friendlier I think??). I have some one month old ameraucanas & I am sure at least one of those will be a roo and I believe they are show lines though not certain. They are very skittish right now but the mealworms really warmed them up to me. I am planning on getting a few australorp pullets this weekend too.

Sooo, to the point, should I wait on my Ams to see if one of them can take over rooster duty? Or would I be better to get a mature roo from someone & put my BO in the pot now? There are lots of hawks, eagles, etc & my birds free range during the day so I feel like a roo might help keep them safer.

There was a really handsome Speckled sussex at the farm swap last weekend that she wanted $15 for- she even had 2 lovely hens to go with him ($20 a piece-is that a lot?) he had HUGE spurs but she said he was very sweet.

Thanks for any advice you can give!!

 

[crossgirl]

I don't have much experience but I would give him time and continue to "put him in his place". He needs to know that you're boss. If he doesn't shape up, of course, send him packing.

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

I have never had good luck in taming a people aggressive roo. I have found if at a young age they think your another chicken, you will have problems. I don't cuddle or baby a chick once I find out it's a roo. I give them their space. Getting them to feed from your hand gives them the idea Hey thats the food Lady. The only BO I had that I had a problem with fell in love with my boots and wanted to mate with them.

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

They turned 20 wks old last Sunday. One hen just started to lay, she laid, skipped a day, the laid two days in a row yesterday and today. Didn't expect that for another month.

 

[MyTDogs]

So 4-5 months?? Wow, my BO's are only occasionally giving me an egg or 2 and they are late Nov/early Dec hatchlings. Ugh, I am beginning to think all you show folks are right...I should've started with something other than hatchery birds (who knew there was a puppy mill for chickens?!?!

)

They turned 20 wks old last Sunday. One hen just started to lay, she laid, skipped a day, the laid two days in a row yesterday and today. Didn't expect that for another month.

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

My BOs started a 20 wks too. Must be something in the water.

No really it comes from 300 ft. down.

 

[MyTDogs]

Lucky you

I have a shallow well

Are your BO's from a hatchery?

My BOs started a 20 wks too. Must be something in the water.

No really it comes from 300 ft. down.