It's one thing to see them outside somewhere but in confined spaces is terrifying! 2 years ago I covered all my runs that had 1/2 inch hardware cloth and added 1/4 inch cloth over top to keep baby rattlers out. Nothing more scary than opening the door to the coop and seeing a curled up rattler lounging around!
Get out there and protect my babies!!
How does the rooster play in? Mine is a bit of a wild card -- he's really still a teenager, just over 10 months old. He's really excellent with the hens, protective and very generous, doesn't mate aggressively. He'll eat calmly from my hand (only when his favorite hens are laying though -- otherwise treats are all for them). He enjoys being preened and cleaned, but I wouldn't call him cuddly. He was reared by a meanie very self sufficient broody, but had some kind aunties after her was weaned, so he's... A bit of a wild card. Strapping handsome fellow though.
As I understand it, aggression is both genetic and learned with genes providing the foundation and environmental factors shaping the expression of the behaviour. So I do believe you can breed personality traits, to SOME degree in birds.One would have to let/have every offspring live to their maximum age (for good genes 10 or 12 years old) to get any real idea of what their behaviour was like in a wide enough variety of circumstances to have any meaning full relevance.
How many generations would one need under these conditions; five, six?
That's a fifty year study!
I've done ten years, five generations down and have yet to see a pattern.
You probably can't reshape a roosters entire existence, they are born with instincts to protect the flock, and I definitely wouldn't breed an aggressive rooster and expect anything less than more aggression. But as long as your boy isnt acting aggressively to you or the hens, I think he's great to use as a breeder!
Yes he will! They are pretty persistent and have a lot of time on their hands. You might stay on guard tonight, predators do their worst damage and dining at night.
I'm in this boat. I cull males if they get too many strikes against me, or warning signs against other people. Now, very rarely are they ones I hatched. Usually they're from hatcheries. My phoenixes I've hatched have never given any warning signs to anyone
This is definitely a good practice! Glad you've got a friendly group of birds now!
