How To Raise A Rooster

[chickensooner]

We gained a rooster from a friend who didn't want roosters. His daddy is a barred rock and momma is a red sex link. He is now 6 mos old and doesn't crow. Is that normal? Also I'm concerned about him pulling feathers from a couple of my hens. These 2 hens try to hide from him and sometimes will go in the coop to keep away from him. The other hens fight him off and defend them when they are around. Our birds have 10 acres to free range and are cooped up at night. Any suggestions? Should I be concerned about my hens? Time for a free range chicken dinner?

 

[TheChips]

If that rooster is being aggressive you can always make a small yet comfortable coop for him.
When I was having my 4 rooster drama I had to separate everyone in the coop at night. They sleep in a large shed with a few coops in there and my husband had built an additional smaller one.
So even though they all slept in the shed, every rooster had their own separate space at night.

 

[newbie32]

The above comment is a good idea. Plus those hens might be his favorite. Which means he likes them the most and therefore is over sexing them. That can be stressful to the hens. Or he might not like them at all. Chickens have their own reasons for doing things. Unfortunately they don't talk human so we cant figure out what the problem is.

Also, how long has this guy been with the ladies? The pecking order is not established right away, these things take time. Give it a few more weeks and see how he does.

 

[chickensooner]

Thanks for all your suggestions. All good ideas! The rooster has been with our girls for about 3 months. He was only 2 month old when we got him. I noticed all the hens do run him off when they're out scratching around though. I think things will work out. Thanks again

 

[The Momma]

Thank you.
Here's my three hens and my two roos. Wellington is the middle roo and Napoleon is the Dominque. Not sure what my hens are. They are definitely crossbred. Little black is not pictured but she looks like Goldie the front one but black coloring. Can't part with either roo. Just need to reset their internal clocks. 5:22 am is too early to be corwing.

 

[newbie32]

Thank you.
Here's my three hens and my two roos. Wellington is the middle roo and Napoleon is the Dominque. Not sure what my hens are. They are definitely crossbred. Little black is not pictured but she looks like Goldie the front one but black coloring. Can't part with either roo. Just need to reset their internal clocks. 5:22 am is too early to be corwing.

CUTE!!!!! looks like a comet or RIR mix with EE? It doesn't really matter as long as they give eggs!!!!--frequently!

 

[TheChips]

I thought i would share this video I recorded the other night while giving them fresh water. The more black rooster is the alpha male. Its so funny to see how hard the other one tries to be

 

[ChickenLife]

Yes the boys are doing there feeding competition with the hens and with each other. They will make good Roosters when they feed there hens like that. We love our chickens when we can video them doing there thing and people like me watch them and enjoy it so very much. thank you.

 

[TheChips]

Last night my Cochin rooster was helping put shavings on one (1 of 3) of my Isa Brown hens while she was in the process of laying.
This morning he was picking out their favorite parts of the feed and giving it to them. Hes small, totally not big enough for those big isa browns, but he's such a good boy. He really takes good care of them.

When I first adopted the 5 cochins I had, he was sort of the underdog. The other 3 were always bullying him, they were always fighting. He has shorter legs than the rest. I got rid of the two aggressive ones, kept him and his brother. And its like a cute little inspirational story the up rise of an underdog. He has a good heart

 

[LindaB220]

Thank you.
Here's my three hens and my two roos. Wellington is the middle roo and Napoleon is the Dominque. Not sure what my hens are. They are definitely crossbred. Little black is not pictured but she looks like Goldie the front one but black coloring. Can't part with either roo. Just need to reset their internal clocks. 5:22 am is too early to be corwing.

Hey, Momma, do a search at the top for The Sound of Silence....... No more crowing. I've not tried it yet cause, hey, newbie.

But if it works it will safe a lot of trouble for me. What do you think?