How To Raise A Rooster

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have put a lot of roosters in my separation pen, best thing ever, the most recent rooster went in there in May for hen harassment, and was just recently released, he is very respectful and is able to hold his own against the other roosters. I will pen them until I feel comfortable they have gotten their heads on straight, months, releasing occasionally to see if he's improved, so round that boy up.



Here's a few photos of my pen, I've kept two large fowl, or three bantam roosters in it at a time, this guy had it to himself.

 

[Kleonaptra]

My rooster just attacked my australorp! Why would he do this? She kept squatting down for him he didn't want to mate he kept savaging her face and trying to rip her comb off. He's dine a lot of damage! I'm two shakes away from getting the axe

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I personally would grab the axe, no rooster should harm a hen except by accident during mating, I would look for a new one, the rooster is suppose to protect the hens.

 

[Kleonaptra]

I personally would grab the axe, no rooster should harm a hen except by accident during mating, I would look for a new one, the rooster is suppose to protect the hens.

I know I'm just devastated by this! He's been so good and respectful to me, ignores the kids. I just don't understand it! He looks like his comb is injured to, and he had a bit of dried blood down his neck on Sunday but I thought he was just exploring and trying to stick his head in places it didn't fit. I never thought it would be fighting.

 

[Pork Pie]

I personally would grab the axe, no rooster should harm a hen except by accident during mating, I would look for a new one, the rooster is suppose to protect the hens.

I agree with this advice as its difficult to teach and old rooster new tricks! Your hens are more valuable to you (i would imagine, unless you breed for showing purposes) so give the rooster the chop and look for another one!

 

[Kleonaptra]

I agree with this advice as its difficult to teach and old rooster new tricks! Your hens are more valuable to you (i would imagine, unless you breed for showing purposes) so give the rooster the chop and look for another one!

Hrs just a cross breed I rescued as a chick. My australorp hen is the most valuable and personally friendly chook I have. My poor girl. I'm steeling myself to do this deed first thing in the morning

 

[song of joy]

I have put a lot of roosters in my separation pen, best thing ever, the most recent rooster went in there in May for hen harassment, and was just recently released, he is very respectful and is able to hold his own against the other roosters. I will pen them until I feel comfortable they have gotten their heads on straight, months, releasing occasionally to see if he's improved, so round that boy up.

Here's a few photos of my pen, I've kept two large fowl, or three bantam roosters in it at a time, this guy had it to himself.

Thank you! This really helps. He's currently in a separate coop with his own 50 x 50' fenced pasture in view of the hens. The hens are happy, but the increase is crowing is driving me crazy! He's been crowing about every 10 seconds for hours! I hope he chills out after a while. Is is typical for cockerels to crow a lot more than mature roosters?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Yes on the young crowing, he's just trying to draw some girls to his property, they are bit more frequent crowers than an established rooster, think of him as a teenage boy, they share a lot of traits.

 

[MeepMeeps]

Hi Again All! Reporting back on my rooster, Big Red. He is a gentleman. We really enjoy him. I am fortunate to be home often so I can observe my chicken's behaviors.
Some days he crows more than others, but overall its not that bad. I am lucky my neighbors do not mind.
None of the 5 girls wanted to mate with him at first but eventually one by one (week after week) they learned to tolerate him more (and hence the screaming has mostly stopped!). The first one to "accept" him was the runt (or last in pecking order) Ruby, who is also a RIR, like him. She is now the Queen! Big Red gives her treats all the time. I didn't believe my ears and eyes at first when I saw he would take a morsel, keep it in his mouth while calling her over with a funny trill noise, then give it to her. She was also the first to lay an egg at 18 weeks. About 2 weeks later, our buff orpington Buffy accepted him and so he started to give her treats. She turned out to be the 2nd one to lay.
They all free range and stick together. Believe it or not, we have seen Big Red on more than one occasion lead Ruby or Buffy back to the coop so they could lay an egg, and lead the other girls away from the coop so they can have their privacy. It is quite amazing to watch! And I'm so lucky the two are using 1 nest box and not laying in the woods (I'm keeping an eye on it thought still). He often sings the egg song with them, mostly so he can greet the girl and tell her "Good job! Now come, we're over here!"
Lately he is giving treats to the 2 Black Australorps and mating with them. No eggs from them yet that I know of, and I'm hoping any day since the group is about 22-23 weeks old at this point.
The Golden Laced Wyandotte has become last of the pecking order, and she avoids Big Red when he tries to go for her. Because of the behavior patterns, we are guessing she might be last to lay.

So far, I have to say, my experience with these chickens has been amazing and very rewarding. Thanks for all the encouragement and advice about raising roosters!

 

[Kleonaptra]

Hi Again All! Reporting back on my rooster, Big Red. He is a gentleman. We really enjoy him. I am fortunate to be home often so I can observe my chicken's behaviors.
Some days he crows more than others, but overall its not that bad. I am lucky my neighbors do not mind.
None of the 5 girls wanted to mate with him at first but eventually one by one (week after week) they learned to tolerate him more (and hence the screaming has mostly stopped!). The first one to "accept"  him was the runt (or last in pecking order) Ruby, who is also a RIR, like him. She is now the Queen! Big Red gives her treats all the time. I didn't believe my ears and eyes at first when I saw he would take a morsel, keep it in his mouth while calling her over with a funny trill noise, then give it to her. She was also the first to lay an egg at 18 weeks. About 2 weeks later, our buff orpington Buffy accepted him and so he started to give her treats. She turned out to be the 2nd one to lay. 
They all free range and stick together. Believe it or not, we have seen Big Red on more than one occasion lead Ruby or Buffy back to the coop so they could lay an egg, and lead the other girls away from the coop so they can have their privacy. It is quite amazing to watch! And I'm so lucky the two are using 1 nest box and not laying in the woods (I'm keeping an eye on it thought still).  He often sings the egg song with them, mostly so he can greet the girl and tell her "Good job! Now come, we're over here!"
Lately he is giving treats to the 2 Black Australorps and mating with them. No eggs from them yet that I know of, and I'm hoping any day since the group is about 22-23 weeks old at this point.
The Golden Laced Wyandotte has become last of the pecking order, and she avoids Big Red when he tries to go for her.  Because of the behavior patterns, we are guessing she might be last to lay.

So far, I have to say, my experience with these chickens has been amazing and very rewarding. Thanks for all the encouragement and advice about raising roosters! 

What a beautiful story thankyou so much for sharing. Worlds away from my rooster