How To Raise A Rooster

[vpatt]

I think one of my chicks is a roo. So far his personality seems ok...but he is only 4-5 months old. Of course, it could be a pullet.
:/

 

[claudiabruckert]

The secret is to treat a rooster like a rooster. Do not hold him, or baby him. This only makes for big issues.

Hands off is the very best approach. Don't hand feed, cuddle, pet, or walk around him. Walk through him. If he is in your way, make him move. You need to earn his respect.

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Over the last 10 years I've been treating all the roosters as warmly as I treat the hens. I'm happy when they come close. I give them their space when they are shy. I hand-feed them, if I can. Every bird is different, more or less confident or cautious. I've never had an aggression problem. The roosters respect me as the boss.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I had two roosters from one batch. One was a beast, one was a model roo. I treated them both the same. The beast ended up on the grill and the model roo will be 2 in Spring He'll eat from my hand once in a while and let me put some stuff on his comb for Winter, but other than that he minds his own business. I can walk around the yard and know that he's not going to ambush me from behind. Perfect gentleman for the flock. I have a mixed cockerel from him that I'm hoping will have the same manners.

 

[LindaB220]

Over the last 10 years I've been treating all the roosters as warmly as I treat the hens. I'm happy when they come close. I give them their space when they are shy. I hand-feed them, if I can. Every bird is different, more or less confident or cautious. I've never had an aggression problem. The roosters respect me as the boss.

It sounds like you are doing fine. If they change and start treating you like a hen that means that they think they are the boss. That's when you do an attitude adjustment.

 

[claudiabruckert]

All of the roosters have always treated me with respect. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

 

[MelissaZeno]

My 10 year old daughter insists on holding our 22 week old rooster, and he takes it very well. He seems very calm when held. I've had to put some petroleum jell on his comb and he behaves very well. He has started trying to mate with the hens I have they are 30 and 20 weeks old, I witnessed a fight he had with my dominant hen and another hen jumped him. When my daughter brought him over his comb was bleeding so we took him inside to clean it and take care of it. He didn't complain at all.
Will he continue to act like this during the spring time, or will he become aggressive towards us? He is an Oprington.

 

[claudiabruckert]

I think it's precious that he trusts you. And I believe that if you can keep handling him and treat him with love he will respect you. Of course, we never know what's going to happen in the future.

 

[MelissaZeno]

It is nice to see him so friendly.

 

[vpatt]

I think one of my chicks is a roo. So far his personality seems ok...but he is only 4-5 months old. Of course, it could be a pullet.
:/

Joseph the Dirt has begun growing tail feathers and he crows now. Pretty sure he is a man chicken.

 

[cafarmgirl]

My 10 year old daughter insists on holding our 22 week old rooster, and he takes it very well. He seems very calm when held. I've had to put some petroleum jell on his comb and he behaves very well. He has started trying to mate with the hens I have they are 30 and 20 weeks old, I witnessed a fight he had with my dominant hen and another hen jumped him. When my daughter brought him over his comb was bleeding so we took him inside to clean it and take care of it. He didn't complain at all.
Will he continue to act like this during the spring time, or will he become aggressive towards us? He is an Oprington.

You just never know. He is on the brink of 6 months old, a time when the hormones really start to kick in and many of them go through a raging-teenage-hormone, green-eyed monster stage. I've had many roosters that were wonderful, friendly birds....until the hormones really kicked in. So just keep a close eye on him, especially since your daughter is involved with them. Teach her about rooster behavior and what to watch out for as he matures as well as how to handle him when he challenges her or tries to come at her. I say "when" not "if" because it's highly likely it's going to happen at some point. Hopefully he will remain a nice bird, some roosters do, but they can change in a flash.