Hello BYC friends, I purchased 3 baby chicks. Thought they were all female. Learned at 9 weeks that the Americana is a boy. I dont want him fertilizing eggs. Can he live a fulfilled life if hes kept separated from the others? i doubt it. Trying to figure out how to move forward. i would love to experience a Rooster as I've never had one, but, at what cost, ya know? Any help would be appreciated. I have lots of space and we free range a lot. Hes all over the place and even jumped on top of the flocks top hen, a 3 year old Buff!! Thank you
I’m a quail person, but I’ve faced a similar issue with having a too plentiful a heaping of males; in my opinion, hens don’t deserve to be harassed unless you’re specifically breeding, and they should only be exposed to fertilize, and then separated once more, unless they are bonded, because, in the wild, hens have the option to run off into the sunset and never return if they choose, but here in our captivity, they are forced to endure; and as far as “protection” of the flock goes, you and your superior mind are far better at doing that than a rooster ever will be, you have the ability to outsmart threats with preparation, he doesn’t, and his safety matters, too, so don’t just toss him into the fray, for as much as he may be spunky, and even at times “mean”, he’s just a bird trying to satisfy hormones he doesn’t understand, it’s the same as being hungry or thirsty to them; but it’s with this superior human mind that I’ve discovered plushies for roosters, coturnix quail ones, anywho; I buy about four of the same plush, wash about every day/every other day, making sure to toss the new one in before I take the old one out, and they always have one in their crate with them when I clean, and I have no issues with crowing or separation anxiety, they’re all happy guys, completely alone, aggressive as they are; So, that’s one wildly different option for you! Separate with a plush, and plenty of treats, too. Hope any of this can help you, wish you and him much luck.
