Opinions on my potential flock dynamics

[emileexepic]

Oh okay. I was raised with chickens and know the general care stuff but I didn't know all that thanks so much

 

[andreanar]

Agree with Keesmom.

 

[sylviethecochin]

Personally, I love roosters, but after some childhood experiences with a pen of straight-run birds, I would not raise a rooster without a flock of more mature birds. Turns out that being raised around a mature rooster suppresses testosterone in young roosters.

I completely agree with the "get a mature rooster elsewhere" from andreanar. Young cockerels have high sex-drives and they mature a lot faster than pullets. The good ones are confused, and the bad ones are rapists.

 

[Skipper81]

Uh oh are we rooster bashing lol
I have had no problems with my 5 boys I'm following a set of rules from black thistles website
About raising roosters like don't let a cockerel mate in front of you. Which it works I make a EEERRT!! sound and they jump right off. I bet I'll be creating a thread in a few months on "my rooster attacked me what do I do?" Seems like they turn out how they turn out from what I've read on BYC

 

[4 ever Orpington]

I'm currently doing research for a new flock, I kept chickens throughout most of my childhood but it's certainly been a whole minute. I would like 8 chickens no more than 2 roos. I am thinking 3 EEs, at least one Dominique and one buff Orpington (for nostalgias sake they were my favorites as a child) then one more hen I haven't decided on what. (Maybe an olive egger, I like a colorful egg basket) anyway I my main question is actually about roosters.

I'm looking for recommendations on what boys will blend well with the girls I have listed. I live in a very rural and undeveloped area so predators are a concern. I also have small kids who will be helping with the care of the birds. I need a roo or two that will keep an eye on the girls as nature intended but won't run up one side of my boys and down the other when they help me feed or gather eggs. I've been googling for darn near 20 hours and maybe I'm just not using the right terms but I'm having a hard time finding info specifically on rooster behavior. So yeah, thanks for the attention and what are y'alls thoughts?

Two buffs! Never mind I’m very biased.

 

[lazy gardener]

If you raise a cockerel from a chick, you should adopt a hands off policy from the moment you know that he's a HE! Cockerels who are "loved on" by their human care takers are much more likely to grow up to be human aggressive.

 

[emileexepic]

If you raise a cockerel from a chick, you should adopt a hands off policy from the moment you know that he's a HE! Cockerels who are "loved on" by their human care takers are much more likely to grow up to be human aggressive.

I am so surprised by that. I have only ever experienced one aggressive hand raised rooster. His name was Roger. He body slammed my face and we used to have to cover him with a bucket to feed the coop haha. Does anyone know why? Also it makes me think I should stick to the breed of rooster we usually had growing up, since I literally never had a problem with them ever. Y'all have any thoughts on a single American gamecock?

 

[sylviethecochin]

I have a motto when it comes to game roosters:

When they are good, they are very, very good. But when they are bad they are horrid.

I'd still get a mature one from a farm that raises game roosters, because one of those boys can do a lot of damage and you have little kids. But I do like my games.

 

[aart]

I also want chickens who will come when called and don't mind being picked up.

Might be better off with a dog

(and potentially competing)

Highly likely.

When they are good, they are very, very good. But when they are bad they are horrid.

True Dat!!

 

[lazy gardener]

If you intend to raise your own chicks, your roo choice should reflect the traits you want to breed into your future flock. Do you want large meaty docile birds that are good layers? Then you should choose a roo from a breed that represents that. Choosing a game cock will not produce future generations of good layers.