Mail-Order Chicks on Their Way but I am confused???

[aart]

"at 3 to 8 weeks, depending upon the breed, peck-order fighting will get serious and sexual activity will start. If you haven't already done so, it's time to separate the cockerels from the pullets or at least to pare down the number of cockerels to a reasonable ratio for the number of pullets."

This is inaccurate(to be polite).
For most breeds, males will 'show' by about 6 weeks by comb and wattle size and color.
They won't be sexually active until about 4 months, but that can vary.
Pecking order can start at one day...but can be fluid and changing forever.
Everything you read in books, and on forums, is not carved in stone.
Read a lot and bring your grains of salt.....lots of different opinions, techniques, and beliefs. Some work some do not.

 

[analyticalblonde]

This is inaccurate(to be polite).
For most breeds, males will 'show' by about 6 weeks by comb and wattle size and color.
They won't be sexually active until about 4 months, but that can vary.
Pecking order can start at one day...but can be fluid and changing forever.
Everything you read in books, and on forums, is not carved in stone.
Read a lot and bring your grains of salt.....lots of different opinions, techniques, and beliefs. Some work some do not.

Thank you for your input!

This is why I love this site...I was confused about the statement made in the book, "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens" so I wanted to get the "real" understanding by the BYC members - I know you all know best!

The information you provided is perfect! Thank you!!!

 

[Mrs. K]

If you have small children, I would not keep any roosters until the children are over 5 years old, especially if you are truly a backyard chicken person, where the children and chickens will share the same space.

If a rooster is going to become human aggressive, they often attack children first. There are many posts on here, where the darling became the nightmare in an instant without any warning. Probably was some warnings, but often times inexperienced people do not recognize the signs. Or they vastly underestimate the violence of a rooster attack.

Children's faces can be at a very vulnerable height under the age of 5 years old.

Roosters are a crap shoot, in my experience, roosters raised with flock mates tend to grow faster, and they are naturally braver. What people often interpret as friendliness is often a lack of fear. These are the chicks that will approach you, sit in your hand, come first for the treats. People tend to think they like them, but truthfully, they are not afraid of you and that is a disrespect.

With puppies and kittens, if you are nice to them, they grow up being nice to you. Roosters are not that way. It seems counter intuitive, but in chicken society, whenever any two birds meet, one is submissive to the other. People often holding birds in their lap, do not realize that they have taken on the submissive position.

When the rooster comes into his own, he will expect you to be submissive to him, and he will be willing to attack you to get it.

IMO - you get the best roosters when the chicks are raised with a multi-generational flock. The older birds school the rooster chick. In a flock mate situation, the rooster out grows the pullets, become sexually active earlier and can become a bully.

As stated above, each bird is unique, but if I am asked, I recommend a hen only flock for the first year.

Mrs K

 

[analyticalblonde]

If you have small children, I would not keep any roosters until the children are over 5 years old, especially if you are truly a backyard chicken person, where the children and chickens will share the same space.

If a rooster is going to become human aggressive, they often attack children first. There are many posts on here, where the darling became the nightmare in an instant without any warning. Probably was some warnings, but often times inexperienced people do not recognize the signs. Or they vastly underestimate the violence of a rooster attack.

Children's faces can be at a very vulnerable height under the age of 5 years old.

Roosters are a crap shoot, in my experience, roosters raised with flock mates tend to grow faster, and they are naturally braver. What people often interpret as friendliness is often a lack of fear. These are the chicks that will approach you, sit in your hand, come first for the treats. People tend to think they like them, but truthfully, they are not afraid of you and that is a disrespect.

With puppies and kittens, if you are nice to them, they grow up being nice to you. Roosters are not that way. It seems counter intuitive, but in chicken society, whenever any two birds meet, one is submissive to the other. People often holding birds in their lap, do not realize that they have taken on the submissive position.

When the rooster comes into his own, he will expect you to be submissive to him, and he will be willing to attack you to get it.

IMO - you get the best roosters when the chicks are raised with a multi-generational flock. The older birds school the rooster chick. In a flock mate situation, the rooster out grows the pullets, become sexually active earlier and can become a bully.

As stated above, each bird is unique, but if I am asked, I recommend a hen only flock for the first year.

Mrs K

Wow! That is great information and really appreciated.

Your insight was very helpful and it does lead me to believe that on the first go around, I might not want one just yet. It makes me nervous with not having had the experience with one yet.

I do remember when I was 16, going over to my Aunt's house and not being able to get out of the car because she had a rooster that "attacked" the car so I couldn't get out and had to drive away. The rooster was relentless and followed us in the car all the way down her drive and onto the street. It finally turned and went back to her house but it was scary for me at the time.

Thank you again for your feedback...I do appreciate it!

 

[fur-mum]

Just so you're aware, not all roosters are aggressive and attack people. My roo is ever watchful of his girls and tidbits when he finds treats, but he always respects me walking through without any issues. Its a shame that roosters often get a bad reputation because of a few bad ones. There's always going to be differences in temperament. Same as with stallions, bulls, dogs, and even people.

 

[analyticalblonde]

Just so you're aware, not all roosters are aggressive and attack people. My roo is ever watchful of his girls and tidbits when he finds treats, but he always respects me walking through without any issues. Its a shame that roosters often get a bad reputation because of a few bad ones. There's always going to be differences in temperament. Same as with stallions, bulls, dogs, and even people.

There is so much to think about and consider...!

I believe I'm just going to have to wait and see how the roo behaves around the 4th or 5th month. I'm leary because I know it's a crapshoot with temperament and I don't want the girls to be hurt but also like the idea of having a roo to protect them from the wildlife we have around here.

 

[Mrs. K]

Waiting and seeing is a good idea. May not ever be a problem. However, if you do have children, be very aware.

 

[aart]

There is so much to think about and consider...!

I believe I'm just going to have to wait and see how the roo behaves around the 4th or 5th month. I'm leary because I know it's a crapshoot with temperament and I don't want the girls to be hurt but also like the idea of having a roo to protect them from the wildlife we have around here.

There is!
Everyone says chickens are simple to keep, and that's true-kind of, but there's lot of learning curves. Like getting a sip of water out of a fire hose.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

Answers:
1. You don't need to separate the cockerels, if there are any. This would only be if you had an overwhelming amount, compared to the hens, and they had reached sexual maturity, and were harassing the hens. If you noticed a cockerel really annoying or hurting the other chicks, you could separate, but i highly doubt this would happen.
2. It's a very good idea to keep a rooster with hens, especially if you are free ranging where there could be potential predators. They will protect the hens, or at least issue warning noises, and give them time to take cover.
3. There isn't really any reason you can't have a rooster, even if you are new to chickens. I would only cull one if it was being aggressive to you.
4. I don't think that roosters are always docile, if from a docile breed. Roosters are roosters, and some are more mellow, and some are more dominating. If this is the case, and he is attacking you, you could either re-home him or cull him.

Even though there is a chance of getting a rooster with a batch of hens, it's not really all that likely. If you are wanting one, you should probably just order one, and then you can pick the breed, as there are a lot of breeds that have beautiful roosters!

 

[analyticalblonde]

Answers:
1. You don't need to separate the cockerels, if there are any. This would only be if you had an overwhelming amount, compared to the hens, and they had reached sexual maturity, and were harassing the hens. If you noticed a cockerel really annoying or hurting the other chicks, you could separate, but i highly doubt this would happen.
2. It's a very good idea to keep a rooster with hens, especially if you are free ranging where there could be potential predators. They will protect the hens, or at least issue warning noises, and give them time to take cover.
3. There isn't really any reason you can't have a rooster, even if you are new to chickens. I would only cull one if it was being aggressive to you.
4. I don't think that roosters are always docile, if from a docile breed. Roosters are roosters, and some are more mellow, and some are more dominating. If this is the case, and he is attacking you, you could either re-home him or cull him.

Even though there is a chance of getting a rooster with a batch of hens, it's not really all that likely. If you are wanting one, you should probably just order one, and then you can pick the breed, as there are a lot of breeds that have beautiful roosters!

I like your suggestions...they make complete sense and being a newbie, I really appreciate your knowledge and input...Thank you for taking the time and providing good advice! Thank you, again!