Little Rooster behavior??

[2DogsFarm]

Welcome!

As an "old hand"

with some 2yrs of chicken experience, I can tell you not only do pullets chestbump & fight like boys, but some hens continue the behavior.

Not only do my hens still sometimes challenge each other, but I've seen them smackdown my teen rooster the same way.
If he doesn't mind his Ps & Qs to their liking, they will not hesitate to push him out of the way, and give his wattles a good pinch too!

Keep your eye on your suspect chicks for signs like:

-a more upright stance
-thicker legs
-pointy-ended hackle feathers

All signs of a roo-2-Be

 

[blefky]

I have 19 five and ten week old chicks that I just moved out to the grow out coop a couple of days ago - it is adjacent to the big girls run and shares one side so that there can be an extended "getting to know you" period through the fence. There's been a lot of chest bumping and posturing going on in the brooder recently - I have at least half a dozen cockerels in there, but everyone gets in on the games. As soon as the established flock caught sight of the newbies, my dominant hen let loose with the goofiest "crow" attempt I've ever heard. Laughed so hard I almost choked on my gum. I've heard that that happens, but it's never happened here before. Pecking order is some serious business!

 

[mark1979]

release em in the store

 

[sourland]

As others have said both cockerels and pullets will play fight. It's an early establishment of the pecking order. I like the idea of releasing them in TSC. Feed them heavily prior to release.

Once upon a time as a misguided teen, I and several friends threw several roosters into the local bar. That didn't go over real well. My Dad who was one of the patrons recognized the roosters.

 

[DickGJ]

@sourland - I laughed hard over that reply! Too funny!

 

[DanEP]

Dang sourland don't you know you always use the neighbors roosters for throwing in a bar?

 

[jossanne]

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