is he even a rooster!?

[mamamage]

so a week ago we got rid of our head rooster. (he's not the one in the picture, more on him below..) he was the poster child for the perfect rooster to our flock. he was protective, attentive and just all around a dominant protective daddy. we had to re-home him because he constantly tried to attack our 5 year old daughter, never anyone else...just her.

we've always had this other rooster in our flock as well, he's always been a huge baby and has NEVER caused an issue.

until now?

he just doesn't seem to want to step up as head rooster. he doesn't really crow, (he's never been a crower like our other guy was.) he eats with the girls and scratches around with his head down, (our other roo never did that, he stood watch 24/7 unless he found a treat for the girls and he would call them over.) he just seems to act like a hen. now he does try to mate with them occasionally...but he's also horrible at that!!!! he never succeeds to mate the girls, he just gets on top of them and fumbles around until he finally gives up. (i'm worried he may hurt them) will this rooster ever step up? will he ever learn to mate the ladies and not tear their backs up?? he's almost a year old..my other head roo did it like a pro in just seconds! i'm at a loss here with this guy..should we find another roo for our flock? should we re-home this guy because he may pluck the hens backs with his balancing act? should i give him more time?

 

[Keziah]

honestly i dont really know, i would ive him a bit more time

 

[sylviethecochin]

He might shape up. One of the reasons I like flock raised roosters is because the presence of the more dominant rooster suppresses testosterone. I've never had a cockerel that was as wimpy as yours sounds to be though.

Maybe give him a month to see if he grows into his new role, and in the meantime, shop around. See if you can find a handsome older (2+ is my preference) boy who's well behaved and good with the hens and comes from a clean, well-kept farm.

 

[mamamage]

He might shape up. One of the reasons I like flock raised roosters is because the presence of the more dominant rooster suppresses testosterone. I've never had a cockerel that was as wimpy as yours sounds to be though.

Maybe give him a month to see if he grows into his new role, and in the meantime, shop around. See if you can find a handsome older (2+ is my preference) boy who's well behaved and good with the hens and comes from a clean, well-kept farm.

yea i'm guessing he needs more time. i just thought he would step up as soon as our other guy left! thanks for responding.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

He’s a beauty! Just give him more time to learn his new role and responsibilities.

 

[HenHouse4Life]

Yes, give him more time. Many times a rooster will be the dominant one while the other stands by. Now that he is the master of the flock he needs time to adjust to his new role. He'll figure it out.

 

[llombardo]

So the one in the picture is the one that is now with the girls?

 

[mamamage]

Yes, give him more time. Many times a rooster will be the dominant one while the other stands by. Now that he is the master of the flock he needs time to adjust to his new role. He'll figure it out.

awesome! i love him so much, i hope he can make our girls happy!

 

[mamamage]

So the one in the picture is the one that is now with the girls?

yes he is!

 

[llombardo]

Silver Lace?

I have 2 boys. Initially I thought the leg born was the head roo, then there was some challenging going on and I seperated them. I left the silvef lace with the girls because he was NOT an over mater. It took him a little bit to get the hang of it. They were seperated at about 4 months, so it took him just a little bit to get the idea. He goes back and forth with the crowing. He crows the most when he is screaming for me. He literally sits at the gate waiting for me. If I go out there and leave he crows until I come back. Most of the time he is alert but sometimes he eats with them. I think this depends if they feel secure--mine don't free range. He did flog my sister when she went for one of the girls, but he left no marks and he could have--it was a strong warning. The girls love him. I have two sets and during integration he ran back and forth stopping fights--I felt bad for him.

I think yours will come aroubd--he is older do it may take some more time then mine. I can tell you that mine can be held like that but I would have to chase him down..lol

Here is my Prince(first one waiting at the gate for me)(second one him and the dog)