Integration...and determined roo

[Erin80]

Today was day one of integration. My 5 17 week old barred rock girls have been separated from the rest of my smaller babies (four are 7 weeks old, three are 10 weeks old) for about a month now in the coop. They were separated with lattice...so they could see but not touch!
Today we let them all out into their brand new outdoor run together (BR's had always free ranged, the run was nobody's territory). There was very minimal pecking. The bigger birds stayed outside all day, a few of the babies ventured out then ran back in, and a few of the babies would only stick their heads out.

By evening, the big girls headed inside and took their usual place on the top roost. The babies all took their spot on the floor on the opposite side of the coop like usual (roosts are available but so far they still all choose the floor).....except my one Icelandic roo. He ran back and forth squawking and making all kinds of noise and just wouldn't settle. He wanted to be up on the top roost with the big chickens. Eventually he flew up there and stood very still as the chicken nearest to him stared him down, he held his ground. Then, he flew over top of all the chickens...quickly landing on them and taking off again and resuming his same spot on the roost. None of the chickens tried to peck him as he was flying over them. Once he landed, the chicken closest to him gave him a peck. He squawked but again held his ground and stayed very still. Then he slowly squatted down in the sleeping position. The chicken next to him did the same....and he got to stay up on the top roost.

Is he trying to be dominant over them? He is the leader of the flock out of the babies. Can they sense yet that he's a roo even though he's half their size?

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Is he trying to be dominant over them? He is the leader of the flock out of the babies. Can they sense yet that he's a roo even though he's half their size?

Yup. He's trying to get his flock in order and take his place as part of the main flock. In time he'll integrate all the babes into the flock too, if he is a good roo.

LofMc

 

[aart]

How old is the Icelandic cockerel, I assume he's one of the 7 & 10 wk olds?
The boys are often the bravest, could be a good sign that he is being so bold.
Time will tell.
Will be interesting to see what happens when he become of age,
the BR's should be laying by then so they may accept his advances.

FYI.....semantics, maybe, but can be important communication terms when discussing chicken behavior.
Female chickens are called pullets until one year of age, then they are called hens.
Male chickens are called cockerels until one year of age, then they are called cocks(or cockbirds or roosters).

 

[Erin80]

Yes, he is 7 weeks old! He was crowing this morning, as was my other 7 week old cockerel. I'm am really, really on the fence on whether or not to keep one cockerel. My main goal with chickens was eggs. They will free range together once in a while when the little ones are bigger....but they will mainly be kept in our (huge) outdoor run with 24/7 access to the coop as well. We don't really need a rooster, we don't want babies....but at the same time, if he's friendly and nice to them and us....then I don't want to eat him!

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

Yes, he is 7 weeks old! He was crowing this morning, as was my other 7 week old cockerel. I'm am really, really on the fence on whether or not to keep one cockerel. My main goal with chickens was eggs. They will free range together once in a while when the little ones are bigger....but they will mainly be kept in our (huge) outdoor run with 24/7 access to the coop as well. We don't really need a rooster, we don't want babies....but at the same time, if he's friendly and nice to them and us....then I don't want to eat him!

If you do not want babies, and you do not want to upset your neighbors then I would re-home the boys.

Good luck

Gary

 

[Erin80]

We don't have neighbours, lol....but we don't want babies and we don't want the boys stressing the girls out. Thanks!!

 

[aart]

We don't have neighbours, lol....but we don't want babies and we don't want the boys stressing the girls out. Thanks!!

Be ready to isolate them or him......if/when it goes bad, it happens fast!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...rates-a-good-tool-for-every-chickeneer.72619/

 

[Erin80]

Ok, good to know, thanks! I posted two of my cockerels online for sale yesterday....so far no one is interested

 

[Mrs. K]

What do you mean you don't want babies? Wow I am impressed, but secretly I am thinking "just wait". Nothing is as quite as fun as hen and chicks. But I totally understand if you don't plan on babies now.

 

[aart]

Ok, good to know, thanks! I posted two of my cockerels online for sale yesterday....so far no one is interested

Yeah, there's usually a huge glut of unwanted boys this time of year

What do you mean you don't want babies? Wow I am impressed, but secretly I am thinking "just wait". Nothing is as quite as fun as hen and chicks. But I totally understand if you don't plan on babies now.

Mrs. K!?!?!? You are always the one advising newbies not to keep males the first year!!