Is it too Early to Give Him Up?

[SycolinWoodsChickens]

IMHO, roos are very hard to place and unless you are willing to take them back - no matter what - then you can't dictate too much about their future. A roo can get picked off at any time as can any chicken dogs or no dogs. If I were you it seems like you have a decent placement that is willing to live by your terms so I would place him.

If you don't place them with her you will have to figure out a long term solution because you may never know when the next home may come along. In my experience around 20 weeks old the roos really start chasing the hens and will have to be separated for their safety if you have too many roos.

Also, what is your plan if the rooster turns aggressive to her. Are you planning on taking it back?

 

[ClareScifi]

I think you are right. Good homes don't come around very often.

A back-up plan is an excellent idea.

If he becomes aggressive, I'll take him back and build a solitary bachelor pad for him and let him live out his days here. Do you think that would work? I'll give him lots of good treats and try to keep him calm with fun stimulation such as cauliflowers on a string to peck out and a big dish full of giant marbles in water to peck at.

 

[SycolinWoodsChickens]

I'd go for it especially since you have a plan to handle him if it doesn't work out.

If you search around the threads you will find other folks who have a bachelor pad for their excess roos. He would probably be happier with another roo in there with him but I wouldn't worry about that now.

Good luck Sounds like you found the perfect home for him.

 

[ClareScifi]

Thank you all for helping me work through this. I really appreciate your input and support.

Now, watch her decide she doesn't like my Good Guy! LOL

 

[ClareScifi]

We went to meet them this afternoon. It does look like an ideal set-up. She has hummingbird decals on her garage door, bird feeders, a 16-year-old lovebird indoors (lovebirds generally live only 12-13 years), a tortoise, 4 cute teenaged daughters who have tree frogs that peep, aquariums-- it's clear she's an animal lover.

Guy would have access to a garden and dust bath areas.

His greenhouse home is just darling. It looks like a plastic playhouse, and they have a big bale of grass hay and pine shavings for bedding.

One of the dogs is an Australian Shepherd, very protective.

Her husband is a doll, very supportive and interested in the chickens.

The hens are beautiful.

I just hope they think Guy is pretty enough for the girls.

I am positive they wouldn't eat him. They are not the type to eat a pet.

She is organic.

I told them they can give Guy back to us if he doesn't work out, so I think they are going to try him out. I'm taking him over tomorrow.

Only problem is, when we got home he had a big gash on his comb! I don't know how it happened. Now it looks like he has black comb disease! I suspect he got into the rosebushes and got scratched while we were gone! My chickens love to eat rose leaves.

It's also possible he tried to protect a hen from Toffee Tabbee and gotten scratched? Not too likely, but possible. Or Charlie Brown got in a fight with him (I've never seen this). #2 high probability is that he tried to mate with virginal Esther Mary, his StepMama, and she would have no part of it. What bad timing!

 

[GardenGal]

I can relate to your situation, having had to give away our two roosters, and for what it's worth here's my two bits.

1) Your rooster probably got a bloody comb from being bit by your other roo or hen. That happens.

2) Don't go on about all your speculations. Your rooster may turn out to be a different kind of guy in his new surroundings. Sounds like he'll have it made, let your roo and his new humans work it out for themselves.

Good luck!

 

[speckledhen]

One thing you said she told you struck me:

Has a chain link fence all around the property to keep dogs inside. Bricks
underneath would keep raccoons out.

You may want to let her know that raccoons climb. They easily get over a fence. Bricks underneath won't do a thing to keep out a raccoon. Just thought I'd mention that. Good luck with your decision!​

 

[ClareScifi]

She doesn't live in an area with raccoons, I don't think, luckily, but I will let her know.. It's pretty residential, on a circle. The street is named for a famous historic painter. I like the idea of Good Guy living in such a swank setting. And I can't wait to meet my grandchicks!

 

[trailchick]

Sounds like he is itchin to go & will be in hog, I mean,
Rooster Heaven with his own hens!!!!

 

[ClareScifi]

P.S. I am worried about the grass hay she has in the greenhouse. I'm taking her some articles about how any kind of hay can cause a crop impaction. I'll also take her the phone number and address of my excellent bird vet. I've printed out info on rooster combs and frostbite, since she hasn't raised roosters before, and there could be bitter cold winter weather ahead, and Guy is a leghorn with the type of comb most susceptible to it.

Can you think of any other info that would be helpful to her that I could print out? Possibly the info about raccoons climbing over fences? Anything else? I'm going to take Rooster Booster with me and show her how to put it on his comb. Maybe I'll leave the bottle with her, since he may get pecked a lot by her hens? She will like the gentle nature of Rooster Booster, I think. They don't sell Blue Kote here.

Am I forgetting anything?

It is to get down to 20 F here tonight. Do you think Good Guy will be okay alone in the plastic greenhouse by himself tonight, if her hens don't take to him? She said it has some heat, whatever that means, but he's used to snuggling with his fat StepMama and 4 fluffy sibs at night. Could he freeze or catch a cold?

I am having separation anxiety, big time.