How To Raise A Rooster

[newbie32]

I'm guessing you missed the awesome eyebrows in the first rooster. Which is why we are keeping him. His name is Groucho. He is not grouchy at all though, and is quite the gentleman so far.


This is actually the meanest rooster I've ever owned. He wasn't all that bad, but did flog strangers, and me if I was messing with the hens. I was going to process him, but had someone come purchase a RIR cockerel for breeding and he asked how much I wanted for this one. I said, you don't mean that: this one's as mean as sin! But he didn't care. He thought he was pretty. He was pretty, but a mutt at that!

LOL yeah it figures he was a little temperamental because he thought he could get away with it since he is so handsome .

 

[newbie32]

I went ALL the WAY (hour and half drive) to my chicken lady today. She gave me advice that she says never fails. She said she can spot a Rooster easy-and sometimes an alpha hen-early. She said as soon as she figures out that it is a Rooster she grabs it, puts it on its side. Gently forces it to stay there while looking it in the eye for at least a few minutes. She said it usually works the first time but that on occasion she does it twice. According to her it never fails and she has never had a problem with them after it is done.

 

[Fancychooklady]

I went ALL the WAY (hour and half drive) to my chicken lady today. She gave me advice that she says never fails. She said she can spot a Rooster easy-and sometimes an alpha hen-early. She said as soon as she figures out that it is a Rooster she grabs it, puts it on its side. Gently forces it to stay there while looking it in the eye for at least a few minutes. She said it usually works the first time but that on occasion she does it twice. According to her it never fails and she has never had a problem with them after it is done.

How does she know that they were ever going to be a problem? That sounds more like a sure way to create issues with a young roo.

 

[newbie32]

How does she know that they were ever going to be a problem? That sounds more like a sure way to create issues with a young roo.

She said they approached her to aggressively and that's when she would do it. IDK but a LOT of people on here say that asserting dominance from the get go has worked for them. Anyway I don't know if I will do this, but I wanted to add another method that was told to me

 

[ChickenLife]

Hi, a few of my roos started crowing at 7 weeks they are Old English Duckwing Bantam, the Old English Creole Bantams started about 3 months age, and then Old English Spangles at 4 months.
They all have been raised together sense they were about 1 to 2 days olds. It depends on the breed, the Spangles are slowest at maturing, but the boys are crowing a lot now. So to with the little hens the same maturity rate is happening with them. This is in response to # 83 post.

 

[ChickenLife]

My Oh MY those are huge giant chickens, my little guys are just tiny compared to yours. I just went out weighed my average roos and he is 1.5 Lbs. at 4.75 months old.
This is in response to # 67 post.

 

[CluckDynasty]

My 5 1/2 month old Roo has gotten so mean to my hens! If I take a pan of treats or leftovers out to them he won't let the girls have any. When one gets brave enough to even get near the pan he literally tries to rip her head off. I can't stand hearing the screams they make...all they want are some goodies, too. Is this just a "teenage thing" he will grow out of, I hope? Anyone else have this problem?

 

[chynasparks]

I haven't -yet- but I have a hen who isn't very nice. She reaches high up into the other 3's butt and pulls feathers OUCH. Even the rooster but I noticed she's a little more careful about it with him. She is an Orpington. She goes after the other Orpington more. My little flock of 4 are 21 weeks. Bill isn't crowing no spurs yet. He's not aggressive but I'm keeping my eye on him. I've read that it isn't inevitable for a roo to be mean so my fingers are crossed. Sorry about your rooster being so mean to your girls. I've also read that they can mellow out after the teenage years. People on this forum talk about having sweet Roos. Perhaps maybe you can keep your roo in lockup in the coop while giving your girls some tummies. Then let him out. He can eat leftovers lol Just a thought.

 

[CluckDynasty]

This afternoon I will try putting the treats in more than one area and see if that helps. Anything is worth a try, I guess!

 

[newbie32]

I haven't -yet- but I have a hen who isn't very nice. She reaches high up into the other 3's butt and pulls feathers OUCH. Even the rooster but I noticed she's a little more careful about it with him. She is an Orpington. She goes after the other Orpington more. My little flock of 4 are 21 weeks. Bill isn't crowing no spurs yet. He's not aggressive but I'm keeping my eye on him. I've read that it isn't inevitable for a roo to be mean so my fingers are crossed. Sorry about your rooster being so mean to your girls. I've also read that they can mellow out after the teenage years. People on this forum talk about having sweet Roos. Perhaps maybe you can keep your roo in lockup in the coop while giving your girls some tummies. Then let him out. He can eat leftovers lol Just a thought.

I am actually hoping for him to be a little more aggressive-at least with that mean hen. If he defends himself and it works then he can keep the peace between the rest of the flock as well. I am dealing with an integration issue right now-my new polish is a bit of a bully. I introduced her with 2 silkie chicks that she was quarantined with (she thinks she is the momma) and she is mean to any hen that gets close to 'her' babies!
The first day she chased my poor little 8 week old rooster around. But now he is the only one allowed around 'her' babies for an extended period. He is also the only other polish. I am not sure what took place while I wasn't looking. I am glad she is protective of the babies because they will not be picked on, on the other hand I was shocked she became alpha hen immediately!