Lazy Roosters

[zmcdad]

I've got 3 roosters (2 too many IMO) and 8 hens. My four OEG hens are brooding and setting in the nest boxes. The other hens mill about the yard with the roos and have been receptive to mating. However, they are not very good at defending the girls; I've got a 12 week old Great Pyr puppy who caught one of the hens yesterday (just playing, but I nipped that idea in the bud before it got too rough). The roos just stood around like it was no big deal. I would expect the boys to be more protective of the girls. Maybe they are playing the "blame game", waiting on the "other" two to step up. I don't know.

I never thought I'd have an issue with low testosterone or at least the apathy I'm witnessing. They rarely fight and if they do, it's a short chase around the yard. Would getting rid of two of them improve things? Or are they just looking to me to fight their battles for them?!!

thanks,

Ben

 

[hippie]

i've never heard of a rooster fighting off a dog. i have a problem with hawks where i live and the roosters run from the hawks just the same as the hens.

 

[dangerouschicken]

They aren't always as protective as you'd like them to be, unfortunately. A really great rooster only comes around once in a while, the kind that defend no matter what. More often than not, they are sort of "chickens***"

 

[gritsar]

Ben, all I can tell you is what I noted when I had more than one rooster.
When I was considering re-homing my then alpha roo I was concerned because my other roo never took part in protecting the girls. He (Thor) always let the alpha handle it.
A wise BYC member told me she felt Thor was just playing politics; afraid to help the hens in case the alpha took that as a sign that Thor was trying to take over.
Once I did re-home the alpha, Thor really stepped up to the plate and is doing an excellent job of protecting the hens.
You already know that you have too many roos. IMO, you won't be able to tell whether a roo is man enough for the job until the competition is removed and he's given the chance to shine.

 

[zmcdad]

Thanks for the responses! Kind of what I thought. I'll look at re-homing two of them and see if that helps matters.

I'm also hoping that when my OEG hens lead their babies out and the puppy gets curious, she'll straighten things out!

Ben

 

[scooter147]

Yep a broody hen will put that pup in it's place.

I have always introduced new puppies to broody hens, they never look at a chicken the same way