Official BYC Poll: What do you do with your roosters?

[Chickenhappy8708]

I have a question, how do I raise nice boys. Some of you say smother them with love and treats, others think that makes it worse. We got to Cockerels this spring, and one was raised like he was the most special chicken in the world, the other treated like any other pullet. The one without as much love formed out to be a jerk. So what works for you guys?

 

[Flockincrazy]

We love on them roosters or hens I can sit in my yard and they all come running I have 8roos in my main coop

 

[Folly's place]

I want mine to pay attention to the flock, not me. So none of mine get cuddled!
Both genetics and management matter, so some cockerels will be fine either way, and some will be terrible beasts, regardless.
Mary

 

[Sonya9]

I have a question, how do I raise nice boys. Some of you say smother them with love and treats, others think that makes it worse. We got to Cockerels this spring, and one was raised like he was the most special chicken in the world, the other treated like any other pullet. The one without as much love formed out to be a jerk. So what works for you guys?

I like to love on them as chicks if possible. Have some 8 week old OEG Bantam cockerels now that have been coddled excessively since hatch and are absolute dolls, but they will be pets in a separate pen.
If roosters are aggressive as they get older then using good body language so as not to trigger/threaten them or their hens is important. My birds don't all have to "love me" as long as everyone gets along and is respectful (and respect is a 2 way street).

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

My family likes to fake crow at him, should that stop? I don't, I think it eggs him on.

 

[RaZ]

I want mine to pay attention to the flock, not me. So none of mine get cuddled!
Both genetics and management matter, so some cockerels will be fine either way, and some will be terrible beasts, regardless.
Mary

I got a couple of roos from Folly a week or so ago. The mature cock has immediately adopted my mature hens. The young cockerel (~14 weeks) has taken the pullets (also from Folly) as his flock. Neither male has a problem with me whenever I have something to do with the 2 flocks. I'm very comfortable in gathering eggs and providing treats to either flock. I can turn my back on them and wot worry about any aggressive behaviour. I think I have a couple of keepers here.

 

[Sonya9]

My family likes to fake crow at him, should that stop? I don't, I think it eggs him on.

It is probably not a good idea to crow at him. Following him or acting hyper/jerky/loud/disruptive (ie common kid behavior) around him or his hens isn't good either.

 

[Chickenhappy8708]

That's what I thought! Ill inform the others, thank you. (I love being right!)

 

[RaZ]

It is probably not a good idea to crow at him. Following him or acting hyper/jerky/loud/disruptive (ie common kid behavior) around him or his hens isn't good either.

I had a neighbor that would do that to my tom and lavender Orpington. He continued to harass my birds despite numerous times I told him to stop. He made that Lav Orp mean. Then he didn't like it when he would get attacked when he stopped by to visit. I had to cull that beautiful roo all because my neighbor was an A-hole.

 

[Folly's place]

Hope he doesn't visit any more, at least not like that!!!
Mary