Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[rural mouse]

I think @rural mouse thought Mottled Houdan x mottled Cochin bantam. That was based on skin color, comb, the extra toes, what Meyers says about the mix, and what breeds Meyers carry.
Did I get that right @rural mouse?

100% dead on what AND why!

 

[rural mouse]

Sigh. I just asked a friend for advice on the Chippy dilemma. I thought she would persuade me he had to go.
After I explained the situation she said: Well you best get a name for the handsome dude. Something posh because he will look very distinguished.

I am surrounded by enablers!
View attachment 4219361

Charlemagne would be posh....

 

[RoyalChick]

This pic does it for me. Bar slide way over to cockerel. Comb size is getting much to big for pullet.

FWIW, speckled sussex as a general rule (exceptions abound, don't cross that bridge unless you have to) are pretty chill. Both Nox and Mera were pretty squarely in the "sure, what ever" category. Mera still is, even when broody.

Go back to Shad's article on roos and Rebecca's post on handling young. Deep breath....let it out slowly.....and let their behavior speak to you. One day at a time.

I need to find the Shad article. I read it ages ago - but if course it was just out of general interest.
Now it feels like I need to study!

 

[notabitail]

I need to find the Shad article. I read it ages ago - but if course it was just out of general interest.
Now it feels like I need to study!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

 

[RoyalChick]

100% dead on what AND why!

I do try to pay attention!

 

[RoyalChick]

Charlemagne would be posh....

Oooh! I like it. Naming him may help me come to terms with keeping him.

 

[RoyalChick]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

Thank you!

 

[bgmathteach]

Shanai, however, is looking VERY cockerely (99% certain)....and I suggest name shift....Shiner being close.

How about Shen or Shan for the roo. Close enough to not really be a name shift...but a bit less feminine???

He is going to be gorgeous!

As far as the crowing...generally, at least in my experience (with multiple roos, mind you), they crow in the morning...and once one crows, the rest sound off in order). - a few times, but then most of the day they are quiet...a crow here or there....unless there is something going on. They sound off warnings....and if there are neighborhood roos, they will crow to 'defend their territory'.

(Note, the sound off warnings are not crows- but actual warnings - varying depending on if the threat is airborne or ground predator)

So, yes, a few times in the morning, then occasionally periodically through the day...but, aside from a bit during the idiot phase.....not obnoxious at all (though I,too, am biased and like the crowing)

 

[Ponypoor]

Charlemagne would be posh....

Ooooo Shakespeare I never di get to name a Roo that….


“What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet”

(Shakespeare; Romeo & Juliette)

 

[rural mouse]

I’ve thought he was likely a roo for a few weeks now.

Freaking out, not exactly, because we aren’t experiencing any negatives in the situation yet. Calls and talking during the day, unless he crows incessantly, isn’t bad. Would young Roos be expected to calm down if they do crow all day long, at first? We had a neighbor who had a new young rooster, and seriously, he crowed every minute of every day, nonstop for 2-3 months, until one day he was killed (found dead). That kind of incessant crowing, with the run so near the house, that would be hard to take. DH harder than me probably, I generally like the sound of crowing otherwise.

The ladies here regularly go at it and create a wonderful cacophony of egg songs, boks, and whatnot. DH doesn’t mind that, he’s interested in what’s going on with them, and likes animals generally.

I've found the crowing happens (4 adult roos before) when they're released from the coop for breakfast (some inside when waking up, not all night): come out, look about, crow "all well", move about, grab a bite or 2, crow again after checking another area.

When an alert warning goes out, crowing occurs when whatever set them off has cleared. This is where I've heard 2 different calls for birds flying around. One call is very similar to the "MOOOMMM! The neighbor cat is visiting, come remove it! It's not afraid of us!" I hear this one for any bird Robin sized or larger, including crows and magpies. The other call is much more rawkus(sp?) And seems to mean DANGER IN THE SKIES. It's used for any hawk (little merlins up to red-tailed) and includes turkey buzzards and any other large bird flying through if the bird is an unknown. The first call results in heads popping up and all eyeing the intruder, all poised to run for cover. The 2nd results in instant flash freeze with NO ONE moving until "all clear" is called. When littles are about, the "DONT MOVE" is repeated periodically but in much quieter tones. "All clear" is again crowing.

Sentinel duty is also when I hear it. Periodically the sentinel roo will crow, I think simply to reassure the ladies that he's seen nothing to worry about, carry on with what they're doing.

I don't hear much crowing around bedtime. Instead I hear "shut up and go to bed" chooka-chooka-chooka (when there's some disputes about where to sleep) or purring when most are settled (maybe equivalent of singing a lullaby?)