Newbie issue, just figured out 4 week old Salmon Faverolle is a cockerel

[MilesFluffybutt]

I have three Salmon Faverolles, which just turned two years this month, and only one of them is a total jerk. The other two (and the one that passed) are awesome - non-aggressive toward people and they work in tandem to keep the jerk in line. When they get a chance to mate, they're pretty nice about it. Since they are part of a seven-bird rooster flock, they don't get to mate often. They're also pretty quiet, but they do have a set of pipes on them.

Whether you keep him is up to you, but without knowing the specifics of the obnoxious behavior, it's hard to say if it's just a 'chick thing.' If you are absolutely uncomfortable or unsure, send him back to the breeder now. Don't wait and get attached - like I did.

And whether he responds to 're-training' really depends on the personality of the bird. I tried my hardest to reform my jerk, and it didn't do much good. For another rooster, it made the world of difference and he's my best bud.

You mentioned you 'hope the rest are hens.' You mean the other four SFs? I can tell you that when I purchased my 8 'sexed' SFs, literally half were boys when they were supposed to be girls. The boys as chicks had a ton of black on them.

Day olds...



Six week olds...

 

[Mrs. K]

A lot depends on your family and your set up. If one is truly a backyard space, with a flock smaller than 6 birds, is a totally different set up of a flock of 12-25 birds, and again, it is not very similar to a set up, with multiple coops, and 60-100 birds.

Advice and behavior will be given most generally from the point of view of one's own experience, but may not be applicable to others in a different set up.

If you are the only adult, and are not intimidated by being spurred, then you can keep a more aggressive bird. If you have children playing in the same backyard as the rooster, it is a different game.

As stated above, ^^, some birds do respond to training, but some do not, if you have a way to get him gone, I would take it.

Mrs K

 

[meglynnie]

Force him to sit/lay down. Apply pressure onto his back until he quits struggling and fighting you. Then let him up and if he runs away, then leave him be. If he doesn't run off and instead gives you a dirty look, do it again.

Thank you for the information!

 

[LoveMyChickenBabies]

Thank you for the information!

No problem!

 

[Maggieo0o0o0]

If you have children under the age of 5, I strongly recommend sending him back ASAP. People in truly backyard situations, with out much experience that all ready has an aggressive chick, is a pretty good recipe for a wreck.

Many people vastly underestimate how violent a rooster attack can be to a small child or even a smaller woman. I recommend no roosters the first year, get some experience under your belt, IMO roosters take some experience. I recommend a hen only flock the first year.

Mrs K

I agree Mrs. K - my girls are 5 and 9 but we need a peaceful bunch for right now. Thanks to everyone for your feedback. We had a family meeting and decided that we will bring Frey back to the hatchery asap, hopefully this weekend. I feel like he has potential, but that it will best be realized by someone more experienced. Hopefully finding a new home will be easier for him while he's still young and trainable. He's not overly nasty, just really bossy and pecky. I've tried 'pecking' him back and he is responsive to that. I think in the right hands he'll be a good rooster!

 

[aart]

We had a family meeting and decided that we will bring Frey back to the hatchery asap, hopefully this weekend.

Good Decision!
How lucky are you that the hatchery will take him back?!

 

[Maggieo0o0o0]

You mentioned you 'hope the rest are hens.' You mean the other four SFs? I can tell you that when I purchased my 8 'sexed' SFs, literally half were boys when they were supposed to be girls. The boys as chicks had a ton of black on them.

Thanks for the specific Faverolle info, yours are so pretty! I think Frey is a trainable rooster, I hope he finds a great home. The rest of my 'girls' are all different breeds - we have a really mixed flock: a Rhode Island Red, a Cuckoo Maran, a Buff Orpington & a Wellsummer. I had my heart set on a Faverolle though, maybe I will find some SF pullets!

 

[bobbi-j]

I agree Mrs. K - my girls are 5 and 9 but we need a peaceful bunch for right now. Thanks to everyone for your feedback. We had a family meeting and decided that we will bring Frey back to the hatchery asap, hopefully this weekend. I feel like he has potential, but that it will best be realized by someone more experienced. Hopefully finding a new home will be easier for him while he's still young and trainable. He's not overly nasty, just really bossy and pecky. I've tried 'pecking' him back and he is responsive to that. I think in the right hands he'll be a good rooster!

I think you made the right decision. Enjoy the pullets and learn their behavior. If you want them as pets, I believe they are more likely to be pet-like without a rooster in the flock.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

Faverolle hens are great - chatty, great personalities, friendly. Maybe you can swap the Frey for a girl. It's worth asking.