Hen or Roo?

[BastyPutt]

Rarely are jerks 'fixable'.

I usually fix them with potatoes, broccoli, cooked carrots - etc.

 

[Folly's place]

Also sage, thyme, and garlic...
Mary

 

[fluffycrow]

Why does everyone forget salt and pepper? You can't fix anything without the building blocks

 

[Folly's place]

Okay, pepper for sure. salt, not so much. Just add more of everything else.

 

[fluffycrow]

Okay, pepper for sure. salt, not so much. Just add more of everything else.

OK, respectable opinion. I am really big on salt though. Yes , I know it's not the best for me, but then again if I did know what's best for me would I have a chicken addiction?

 

[TriciaTKB]

We have a ton of " farm animals" and aside from the pig, roosters are my hands down favorite. I never wanted them either, now I'll never go another day without.

As Folly's said, a good rooster is incredible. Your hens will love him, he will bring a natural feeling of security to the flock (not much actual security) and they are just magnificent creatures when you really dig into what they do.

cockerels can go through a period where they are learning the ropes, and can appear to be a jerk. But, usually around a year, you'll find out what temperament he will have, how he will treat the hens, etc.

Thank you for this advice!! I have been thinking about it, and I am almost positive I am going to keep him. The chicken breeder said she would take him back and exchange him for one or two hens, but I just do not want to deal with one or two new hens with my already established flock of 18 hens.

 

[My Three Chicks]

Thank you for this advice!! I have been thinking about it, and I am almost positive I am going to keep him. The chicken breeder said she would take him back and exchange him for one or two hens, but I just do not want to deal with one or two new hens with my already established flock of 18 hens.

If you don't want to keep him and don't want to deal with the stress of adding one or 2 hens to a big flock you already have, (would be difficult since they'd be out numbered by a lot) just don't get another hen (or 2) from the breeder. Ask for a refund or just forgo what you paid. I mean 18 is a lot. Not sure what one or 2 more would add at this time. Then you can add a larger group later!

 

[TriciaTKB]

I have another one for you. I had a cockerel (was supposed to be a hen) I exchanged for a hen back in May. The chicken breeder told me for sure this one was a hen. Starting to have my doubts. HELP!!! Approx age is 12 weeks.

 

[FunClucks]

I have another one for you. I had a cockerel (was supposed to be a hen) I exchanged for a hen back in May. The chicken breeder told me for sure this one was a hen. Starting to have my doubts. HELP!!! Approx age is 12 weeks.

Yeah, that's a cockerel. Sorry. He's cute too.

If you don't want roosters, you can find these two a home or just take them back to the breeder. You can see how these two develop and then make a decision. Roosters are their own creature - they are not male hens. They have different instincts, reactions, and see the world very differently. They are not for everyone. Some folks have good experiences with them, and some do not. I'd encourage you to read Articles in the articles section about folks' various experiences and those that teach about rooster behavior by those who have lots of experience.

Depending on how you plan to manage him and his individual personality, a rooster may be a great idea or a bad one. You never know exactly what you're going to get. Two roosters to 16 hens is a decent number, especially if they free range. They may get along, or they may not, or they may get along until they don't, you can't predict these things.

We had a rooster who was good for a year, never aggressive to me, but didn't like anyone else. We tried to train him, and thought he was doing well, then he attacked my young son (my son healed and was all right). I processed that rooster the next day, and was heartbroken about it. We really wanted him to work out, but he just couldn't see humans as non-threatening. Also, I was constantly worried about whether today was the day he'd choose to attack me, so I was always a bit on edge when I was in the coop. There was much more peace in the flock when he was gone, and chicken keeping was much calmer and more pleasant, but I still miss that rooster and wish he'd stayed nice. I feel like I failed him, because I couldn't figure out a way to meet his needs enough that he would not find humans threatening. We learned a lot from him. Hopefully in the future we'll have a better rooster experience.

 

[TriciaTKB]

Yeah, that's a cockerel. Sorry. He's cute too.

If you don't want roosters, you can find these two a home or just take them back to the breeder. You can see how these two develop and then make a decision. Roosters are their own creature - they are not male hens. They have different instincts, reactions, and see the world very differently. They are not for everyone. Some folks have good experiences with them, and some do not. I'd encourage you to read Articles in the articles section about folks' various experiences and those that teach about rooster behavior by those who have lots of experience.

Depending on how you plan to manage him and his individual personality, a rooster may be a great idea or a bad one. You never know exactly what you're going to get. Two roosters to 16 hens is a decent number, especially if they free range. They may get along, or they may not, or they may get along until they don't, you can't predict these things.

We had a rooster who was good for a year, never aggressive to me, but didn't like anyone else. We tried to train him, and thought he was doing well, then he attacked my young son (my son healed and was all right). I processed that rooster the next day, and was heartbroken about it. We really wanted him to work out, but he just couldn't see humans as non-threatening. Also, I was constantly worried about whether today was the day he'd choose to attack me, so I was always a bit on edge when I was in the coop. There was much more peace in the flock when he was gone, and chicken keeping was much calmer and more pleasant, but I still miss that rooster and wish he'd stayed nice. I feel like I failed him, because I couldn't figure out a way to meet his needs enough that he would not find humans threatening. We learned a lot from him. Hopefully in the future we'll have a better rooster experience.

I just had a few other people say it’s a pullet. Ugh!!!
The all white one is def a cockerel and acts as such. Bossy, chest bumping and rounds all my newer chicks up.
This black and white one is timid, and darts around “scared” acting and tries to stay away from a lot of them.