Hen or Roo?

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Blue Laced Red Wyandotte cockerel.

 

[Phaefner]

Any suggestions for me to keep him from becoming one of those famous attack roosters

 

[Phaefner]

I love this forum! You guys have been great I’ve only been a chicken mom for about 5 months and I come here all the time looking for answers to question. Thank you all for being AMAZING support!!!!

 

[Frazzemrat1]

That's either a pullet or a cockerel. Does it have spurs?

He's too young to have spurs. And its not a good way to judge male from female. One of my hens grows a spur.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Any suggestions for me to keep him from becoming one of those famous attack roosters

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/beekisseds-rooster-speak.73664/

 

[Alexandra33]

Handsome cockerel.

I do have some advice for you pertaining to raising roosters, but seeing as I'm on a mobile device, that'll have to be explained in greater depth later.

~Alex

 

[MissChick@dee]

Any suggestions for me to keep him from becoming one of those famous attack roosters

Don’t do what I did lol... seriously. Don’t cuddle and pet him.
When your around him walk with direction and purpose...meaning walk assertively directly towards him and make him move out of your way. Don’t bend over a sweet talk him.
Do pick up your hens in front of him. Basically let him be on the perimeter of the flock.
My experience with Roosters was not good. IMHO they go through a hormonal teenage period where they either want to mate or fight and they are so ramped up they can’t distinguish you from a competitor or a girlfriend. Do not allow him in your space.
Be prepared to pen him by himself during this period.
You need to be careful because young cockerel’s can be much more friendly and affectionate when young.
So basically ignore him. It’s a fine line to have him understand he can be in charge of the girls but your in charge of his universe.
Be assertive and aloof. And don’t worry once he’s matured and figured things out you’ll have a relationship with him. It’ll be a different
Type of situation once he’s matured.
Good luck he’s going to be a stunning bird. I hope he’s one of the “good guys”.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

Don’t do what I did lol... seriously. Don’t cuddle and pet him.
When your around him walk with direction and purpose...meaning walk assertively directly towards him and make him move out of your way. Don’t bend over a sweet talk him.
Do pick up your hens in front of him. Basically let him be on the perimeter of the flock.
My experience with Roosters was not good. IMHO they go through a hormonal teenage period where they either want to mate or fight and they are so ramped up they can’t distinguish you from a competitor or a girlfriend. Do not allow him in your space.
Be prepared to pen him by himself during this period.
You need to be careful because young cockerel’s can be much more friendly and affectionate when young.
So basically ignore him. It’s a fine line to have him understand he can be in charge of the girls but your in charge of his universe.
Be assertive and aloof. And don’t worry once he’s matured and figured things out you’ll have a relationship with him. It’ll be a different
Type of situation once he’s matured.
Good luck he’s going to be a stunning bird. I hope he’s one of the “good guys”.

 

[Alexandra33]

Please, and I mean, PLEASE use caution if you do decide to adhere to Beekissed's method. Those who shared it with me a few years ago meant kindly, but the techniques created nasty cockerels. Information found within may not yield desirable results for everyone. (not intending to offend, just speaking from personal experience)

My first 30-40 roosters were disasters. Only one made the cut. Looking back, it was all my fault. Admittedly, I terrorized them, attempting to follow expert instruction. Natural behaviors, such as crowing/going after the hens, were worthy of punishment. None received permission to eat or drink in my presence, I briefly chased them without reason, roughly shoved any out of my way (even if I purposefully invaded THEIR space), and pinned them to the ground. Little did I know, this only instilled fear, not respect. Any guesses how many times said roosters flogged me? Sadly, too many to count. Poor things felt cornered, obligated to defend themselves in my presence. This situation was stressful for everyone involved. Since splitting from the pack, so to speak, we raised another group of 14....with LOVE and RESPECT. None of the persecution described above. 11 out of 14 made it.....zero aggression.

Think about it logically. Consider the pecking order dynamics, and its fluid nature. Does the dominant rooster always remain dominant, or will he face challenges from his subordinates? Will there be a constant desire to overthrow his authority? If you display "rooster" behavior, which cockerels understand, you are automatically deemed a "rooster" in his eyes. Act like a rooster, and he'll treat you as one. Opposition to your dominion is inevitable at this stage, and will almost certainly lead to an attack (or several). Moral of the story: best to remain an outsider. It's optimal not to become a member of the pecking order, and furthermore, avoid meeting your cockerels on their level. Beekissed's article denounces picking up and carrying offenders by way of correction, simply due to the fact "they don't understand," but this is exactly WHY you should! It's decidedly non-aggressive, AND potentially a way to remedy bad behavior without causing him to view you as his kind. If he wing dances for your benefit (another exhibition of hostility), don't advance upon him, or retreat. Such responses are indicative of dominance/submission. Rather, either stand still (thus lacking the reaction he's striving to attain), or scoop him up. Neither speak his language.

Perhaps try hand-feeding him. Who doesn't love food, and also love people who bring them food? The best thing to focus on right now is earning his trust.....positive association.

A good rooster isn't guaranteed by using ANY of these methods, since part of the equation depends on his natural tendencies. Just follow what appeals to you, and hope for the best. Most of all, enjoy him!

~Alex

 

[SBFChickenGirl]

Definitely a cockerel. A beautiful one too.