Is it common for a rooster to feed his hens?

[CKC Coop]

We have an 8 month old Easter Egg rooster. Whenever we treat our hens to grapes, crab meat, or other pieces of food (not corn or other seeds) our rooster will take a bite out of our hands , walk away, make some sort of noise, and then drop what is in his mouth for his hens to eat. He does this time and time again. He is quite the gentleman! I was just wondering if this was common rooster behavior. Our other rooster does not do this and I hadn't heard others talk much about it either.

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

haha, that's sweet! one of my roosters shows the girls where the treats are, but does not actually carry it to them...that cool I've also had selfish roosters who just eat it all them selves.

 

[ladyearth]

I got my first set of chicken back in March 2014...Yes, my first Rooster I bought as a 2 year old did this for his 5 girls.Mostly he drops it and makes the "excited come here girls noise"
Now my Runt I kept(from of four I raised roosters from a straight run) of almost 10 month old Roo does the same for His set of 3 girls
I try to say "Here Roo Roo "away from the girls. As they will steal stuff esp peanuts etc, from his beak
funny somewhat

 

[lazy gardener]

The behavior you describe is called "tid-bitting". The rooster will call the hens to the morsel he's found, he may pick it up and drop it repeatedly, and offer it from his beak. The girls are not stealing stuff from his beak, but taking a treat he is offering. Sometimes, he'll "tid-bit" a non-edible item, just to get the hen's attention. This is one of the attributes of a good rooster. The good rooster will also dance for his ladies.

 

[azygous]

For mature roosters, it's common. They don't start out that way, though. Your young man is a bit ahead of the game in that respect. Usually cockerels are selfish little twerps and keep all the goodies for themselves.

 

[CKC Coop]

The behavior you describe is called "tid-bitting".  The rooster will call the hens to the morsel he's found, he may pick it up and drop it repeatedly, and offer it from his beak.  The girls are not stealing stuff from his beak, but taking a treat he is offering.  Sometimes, he'll "tid-bit" a non-edible item, just to get the hen's attention.  This is one of the attributes of a good rooster.  The good rooster will also dance for his ladies.

thanks for the info! Interesting!

 

[CKC Coop]

For mature roosters, it's common. They don't start out that way, though. Your young man is a bit ahead of the game in that respect. Usually cockerels are selfish little twerps and keep all the goodies for themselves.

haha...I have always thought our other rooster, a New Hampshire is very selfish and kind of a bully. He loves to threaten you, but he's really a big scaredy cat. He gets food and runs away so the hens can't get it from him. Lol!

 

[donrae]

My boys like to have a running dialogue of what the rooster is saying....next time you hear your rooster call the hens for treats, tell me he's not saying exactly this...

"Look what I found for you! I found this wonderful treat all by myself and brought it just for you cause I love you and I'm such a manly rooster. Look at how my wattles swing when I show you where this wonderful treat is? Aren't they bright red? My bright red wattles show how manly I am. I found this just for you, I'm such a good provider and will take such good care of you. Look how manly I am and what wonderful treats I find just for you, you're my favorite!"

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

My boys like to have a running dialogue of what the rooster is saying....next time you hear your rooster call the hens for treats, tell me he's not saying exactly this...

"Look what I found for you! I found this wonderful treat all by myself and brought it just for you cause I love you and I'm such a manly rooster. Look at how my wattles swing when I show you where this wonderful treat is? Aren't they bright red? My bright red wattles show how manly I am. I found this just for you, I'm such a good provider and will take such good care of you. Look how manly I am and what wonderful treats I find just for you, you're my favorite!"

lol

a peek into the inner though life of a rooster.

 

[lazy gardener]

Every time my "Jack" looks at me, or goes sprinting across the yard, I think, that of all of the animals I've ever had the privilege of knowing... If there was only one animal who I'd like to read their mind, it would be him. He always has so much to say!!!