Once bitten twice shy... adopting a roo?

[JulieBeth07]

I've had the best results with a young rooster that's grown up in an older flock with an older, established rooster as well as mature hens. There is no better way, IMO, for a cockerel to learn good manners than from these older birds. My current cockerel is about 8 mo old and is a perfect gentleman, both with the hens and with humans. The flock master did not tolerate him abusing the hens, and a few times of him getting chased and flogged taught him a lot of respect and humility.

This is one of the reasons I'm unsure of bringing him in. We don't have a mature rooster and my girls are still young. I'm afraid of his manners.

 

[BunnyEberhart]

I always post this video when someone is thinking of adding a roo. It is a great video. A bit long but well worth it.

 

[JulieBeth07]

The sidestep thing that you mentioned is a no-no. That's him challenging you. I agree with @MarkJr , throw him in there, and don't take him out unless there is blood.

Agreed. And my children are always out there. Mr Bleu could have knocked my toddler down without a problem.

 

[JulieBeth07]

I’ve never had one wing dance or anything of the sort.

Last ones have just decided to flog me when I am not paying attention or am bent over gathering eggs.

They don’t survive much longer after those mistakes.

Well I'm glad I got a warning before that happened! It was slight, but was definitely a challenge. He went back to his home not long after.

 

[JulieBeth07]

I always post this video when someone is thinking of adding a roo. It is a great video. A bit long but well worth it.

I think I actually watched this when I had Bleu!!

 

[BunnyEberhart]

I think I actually watched this when I had Bleu!!

Worked great for me but i did it daily and held him lots. Now he is my lap roo

 

[lomine]

You can get fertile eggs from anyone that has a rooster, maybe the person that is offering the cockerel. You can also check Facebook for local groups that buy/sell chickens. I've seen fertile eggs offered on my local group many times.

 

[JulieBeth07]

You can get fertile eggs from anyone that has a rooster, maybe the person that is offering the cockerel. You can also check Facebook for local groups that buy/sell chickens. I've seen fertile eggs offered on my local group many times.

I just saw some on Craigslist too. Never noticed it before.

 

[JulieBeth07]

Worked great for me but i did it daily and held him lots. Now he is my lap roo

Was this a roo you raised from a chick?

 

[BunnyEberhart]

Was this a roo you raised from a chick?

Yes. And he got rather mean. He was attacking me every time i turned my back. But not anymore.