- Apr 7, 2012
- 572
- 14
- 124
Out of 6 straight run chicks, 5 turned out to be roos. One of them was my favorite, so he got to stay to be the rooster of a flock of 5 hens. They're all about 3 months old now. When they free ranged in the back yard, the little roo always sat in my lap and ate, or he sat on the chair with me. About a week ago, I moved them outside of the back yard so that they could free range completely. (They still haven't gone far, and I'm constantly running them out from under the carport) I was no longer this little roo's center of attention and soon realized just how big his feet and nails were, and how his "peep peep" voice was getting deeper. He doesn't bite or attack yet, but is becoming a tad bit harder to catch. (He very calmly gets just out of reach) I can still put him in my lap and pet him, and he's fine with it. But at just 3 months, he has stepped up to the rooster role. I think I hear him talk to the girls when he goes to the food, and if they're not following the boss hen, then they follow him. These are my first chickens, but I'm happy with what I'm seeing from them so far. I hope I kept the good rooster.
Then today, they were headed to the carport, when the roo saw a blue jay land in the front yard. He ducked his head and snaked it side to side as he crookedly flopped towards it. When it flew off, he spotted another, and just gave a warning hop. He has been raising his hackles at the girls more than usual lately, but they do the same thing right back at him. Today was the first time I had seen him charge something other than the girls. I'm not sure if his hormones are starting to rage, or if I should be worried about him doing this to me. He hasn't shown any signs yet, and actually, one of the roos I rehomed to a farm had already started threatening with feet when I went to pick him up when he was this age. There's a big difference in the temperment of that roo, and the one I kept. I've spent a lot of time with these chickens, just sitting amongst them, and I hope that doing that makes some sort of "relationship" with the roo and his flock. It's not as if they are in a secluded area that people only go to when they need to do something with the chickens. People pass through them all during the day.
I just want to make sure that I'm on the right track with my first flock.
Then today, they were headed to the carport, when the roo saw a blue jay land in the front yard. He ducked his head and snaked it side to side as he crookedly flopped towards it. When it flew off, he spotted another, and just gave a warning hop. He has been raising his hackles at the girls more than usual lately, but they do the same thing right back at him. Today was the first time I had seen him charge something other than the girls. I'm not sure if his hormones are starting to rage, or if I should be worried about him doing this to me. He hasn't shown any signs yet, and actually, one of the roos I rehomed to a farm had already started threatening with feet when I went to pick him up when he was this age. There's a big difference in the temperment of that roo, and the one I kept. I've spent a lot of time with these chickens, just sitting amongst them, and I hope that doing that makes some sort of "relationship" with the roo and his flock. It's not as if they are in a secluded area that people only go to when they need to do something with the chickens. People pass through them all during the day.
I just want to make sure that I'm on the right track with my first flock.
