New chicken mom IL

[Blue Raptor]

Hi from central IL

I got my flock of 6 on 3/9/23. Was planning on all hens but got one roo and we are going to try to make it work.

We built a 6x8 coop which is half storage half coop and an attached run 6x15

The flock gets daily attention. Usually a hand fed treat. My toddler grandchildren love the chicks and keeping a friendly flock is our goal

Welcome to BYC!!

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Welcome to BYC @Cpgrnwd

Glad you could join us all here!

 

[Tookie]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

 

[triciayoung]

Welcome. You can make it work. Roosters are awesome and I think you will find that having one is really good for your flock. My advice is that you make sure that while he is growing and beyond, he has respect for you as his friend/partner. You don't want to run from him ever and you don't want to fight him. Make that clear with your body language. Many animals want to eat chickens. This makes roosters very on edge most of the time. @janiedoe worded it best when she said that "when roosters get scared they react". It is so true, they react when they are scared, and because their role in the flock it to find food for their hens (and they never eat until the hens have their fill), and protect their hens and the chicks - they will give their life to defend, and mate, they get hyper reactive about their roles. Therefore, show your rooster respect as the leader of the flock. I always give my roosters food first, treats first, and assure them when I am handling a hen that it is OK. If you respect your rooster, you will have a great friend for life.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[Cpgrnwd]

Welcome. You can make it work. Roosters are awesome and I think you will find that having one is really good for your flock. My advice is that you make sure that while he is growing and beyond, he has respect for you as his friend/partner. You don't want to run from him ever and you don't want to fight him. Make that clear with your body language. Many animals want to eat chickens. This makes roosters very on edge most of the time. @janiedoe worded it best when she said that "when roosters get scared they react". It is so true, they react when they are scared, and because their role in the flock it to find food for their hens (and they never eat until the hens have their fill), and protect their hens and the chicks - they will give their life to defend, and mate, they get hyper reactive about their roles. Therefore, show your rooster respect as the leader of the flock. I always give my roosters food first, treats first, and assure them when I am handling a hen that it is OK. If you respect your rooster,th you will have a great friend for life.

Welcome. You can make it work. Roosters are awesome and I think you will find that having one is really good for your flock. My advice is that you make sure that while he is growing and beyond, he has respect for you as his friend/partner. You don't want to run from him ever and you don't want to fight him. Make that clear with your body language. Many animals want to eat chickens. This makes roosters very on edge most of the time. @janiedoe worded it best when she said that "when roosters get scared they react". It is so true, they react when they are scared, and because their role in the flock it to find food for their hens (and they never eat until the hens have their fill), and protect their hens and the chicks - they will give their life to defend, and mate, they get hyper reactive about their roles. Therefore, show your rooster respect as the leader of the flock. I always give my roosters food first, treats first, and assure them when I am handling a hen that it is OK. If you respect your rooster, you will have a great friend for life.

Thank you! I think we are off to a good start. I give them attention daily and hand feed treats. So far he (Beep beep) is very sweet and used to me. Im nervous about how it's going to go when everyone reaches maturity but we are iff to a good start for now

 

[triciayoung]

Thank you! I think we are off to a good start. I give them attention daily and hand feed treats. So far he (Beep beep) is very sweet and used to me. Im nervous about how it's going to go when everyone reaches maturity but we are iff to a good start for now

I will tell you that around maturity, most likely, he will become more reactive. I feel so bad for roosters because they are constantly on guard for their hens. What I have learned and can share is that if you use a soft voice with him (like a baby voice) it really helps to remind him who you are. Meaning, that as mine arrived at maturity, they became more "jumpy" and if I wore my crocs (they hate my crocs for some reason), they would do the wing circle thing around me like they are going to attack. And, they hate when my hair is up. But...if I start talking in the baby voice I use with them, they remember who I am. I am just trying to help by sharing what I have learned. Roosters are more complicated, but they are also more rewarding.

 

[swampfox440]

Hi, welcome to BYC! pleased to meet you.