Looking for info re: keeping roosters

[mistermorel]

Hi all,

Unfortunately, it looks like that a bird that was sold to me as a pullet is actually a young roo. Oops! I know pretty much nothing about keeping roosters, but I'm not necessarily opposed to keeping him -- he is a stunning Ermine Ameraucana. Thing is, we only have 4 birds and they are kept in an enclosed run (coop is 6x4, run is 14x4 so total square footage is 80).

My questions are:
* Where can I learn more about rooster care?
* Can a rooster thrive with the amount of enclosed space we have & with only three hens? Essentially, is it a good idea to keep him at all?
* What do I need to be aware of in terms of managing rooster temperaments?

Here is the pretty boy (right) ^

 

[rural mouse]

This article, written by @Shadrach, is likely going to be your best friend.


https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/understanding-your-rooster.75056/

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

Shadrach’s article is really good so definitely read it.

Personally I have found that having a rooster in a pen leads to more human aggression, so I never recommend it. That also seems like too few ladies for him. Off hand I would say that it’s not the right situation for a happy life for him and you.

 

[Shadrach]

Hi all,

Unfortunately, it looks like that a bird that was sold to me as a pullet is actually a young roo. Oops! I know pretty much nothing about keeping roosters, but I'm not necessarily opposed to keeping him -- he is a stunning Ermine Ameraucana. Thing is, we only have 4 birds and they are kept in an enclosed run (coop is 6x4, run is 14x4 so total square footage is 80).

My questions are:
* Where can I learn more about rooster care?
* Can a rooster thrive with the amount of enclosed space we have & with only three hens? Essentially, is it a good idea to keep him at all?
* What do I need to be aware of in terms of managing rooster temperaments?

View attachment 3915198

Here is the pretty boy (right) ^

Looks like he's trying to get the hen to groom him rather than pick at her own feathers. That's a good sign.
Yes three hens is often enough and many tribes I've cared for work best with three to four hens.
Do your hens like him? That's what I prefer to go by. If the hens won't tolerate him then don't keep him.
All male chickens, some might just write males in general , are difficult from around four months to eighteen months. Contained males usually require some work to get straightened out.
Lots of people don't have the time or the patience to get through the "difficult" phase. I sometimes wonder why I do it,

Get right with your rooster and you'll have and the hens will have and he will have a valuable assett and often I've found the best listener to lifes woes one can get. The hens are okay, but they're always want to be off stuffing their faces, or laying eggs.
The quality that makes a good rooster for me is their patience. I've looked at some roosters and thought I would have lost the plot with that by now and they just show some minor annoyance.

Of course I think you should keep him if your up for a bit of a challenge.

 

[Mrs. K]

He is beautiful.

Thing is it might work, and it might not work. If you get a flock master, it is a wonderful addition to your flock. A lot of times though the darling becomes the nightmare. He can be aggressive to you, your children and to the hens.

There really is no set of rules that will produce a perfect rooster. Their behavior today has little influence on their behavior a week from now, or a month from now. However, once they become aggressive, I have no confidence in them going back.

What I say is have a plan B. Near at hand, ready to go. A way that you can separate him from the flock. A person that might be willing to take him, or a plan to cull him. You do not have to eat him. A lot of people bury them.

I agree with Shadrach, if the girls love him, that is a good sign. However, I won't tolerate a mean one to me, no matter how much they love him. I do think an all hen flock is a nice flock to start with, to get some experience with. Roosters take some experience IMO.

I also agree that in confinement, you have much more trouble, the odds tend to be against you. And you do not have a lot of hens to take his attentions. Sometimes 3-4 work, but they work better if the hen has an option to move on to another place or rooster. The confinement limits her choice.

Being raised together, is not an influencer either.

Mrs K