Raising an indoor cockerel, advice?

[erineliot]

I have a cockerel (18-20ish weeks). We rescued him thinking he was a hen that we could incorporate into our small outdoor flock, as we already have too few hens.

Since he’s a rooster, and we already have one, he would not last outside for a minute before being just absolutely destroyed.

He’s lived indoors with me, and it’s been wonderful. He’s just starting to come into that stage of maturity where he is testing his status in the household hierarchy and is experimenting with aggression. He is VERY receptive to training, very intelligent and wants to please. Loves praise, and is learning a handful of words. But it’s been interesting working with the aggression part. With hens, you “be their rooster.” With a rooster, how am I supposed to raise him to be submissive to other members of the family when his instincts will tell him to be the ruler? How do I accommodate his natural needs without “losing control of the household?”

I don’t know how his behavior will develop further in time, his future is going to be completely circumstantial and unpredictable at this point, but I’d like advice. I see stories of people with indoor roosters sometimes. So I know it happens. But what’s the reality really look like? I want to keep him as part of our family. But again, he cannot go outside with my flock. And he’s fitting in wonderfully indoors. He’s truly so happy, but I think that’s just because he’s a naturally joyful little dude.

 

[Tonyroo]

What breed is he? And how old?

 

[erineliot]

There are so many things I need to be prepared for IF there’s a future for him indoors. What do I do about spurs? What about veterinary care? He has fowl pox, what if he has a bad outbreak? The questions are endless, but I’ve been here before with other pets, and when there’s a way, I’m always willing to see if its possible and learn what I need to. But man, is there so little information online about indoor roosters! (Unless that’s just me. I’ve found it significantly more difficult to find reliable information online recently.) Thanks!

 

[erineliot]

Also, again IF he stays living with us, he would absolutely get daily time outdoors. It’ll always be my goal to be able to accommodate his needs, I just want him to stay a part of our family.

Just a little background, I’ve been really sick for a long time. I have many pets, but they mostly mind themselves. Since he’s come along, he’s been my little man, always there, always ready to snuggle, so affectionate and present. He’s been such a gift.

(And I’m just guesstimating 18-20 weeks. If anyone knows better, please do share anything you know!)

 

[erineliot]

What breed is he? And how old?

I think about 18-20 weeks. But that’s an inexperienced guess. And he’s a barred Plymouth Rock, but I posted in a different thread that this molt is bringing in several, beautiful brown feathers, and some of his neck feathers (I forget the correct term) are starting to flip outwards. I don’t know if this is standard for the barred Plymouth rocks.

 

[erineliot]

Right now we are really working with food. He has learned several words and hand signals. We aren’t really as “strict” in our methods of communicating, but he’s very receptive to tone and body language. He knows “no.” He knows his name. He knows when he is being beckoned and he knows when he is being taught something new. He pays attention. It takes a second to acquire his focus, but once I do, I have a solid few seconds to guide him and he retains it after a few attempts.

So for with food, he right now is being taught a few things— not to take something from our plates unless invited, to take the food gently, and to wait or go away when instructed. He’s not a perfect learner by any means! It takes practicing during these small moments of focus repeatedly, but he absolutely shows progress and understanding. As of right now, he’s learning well how to cohabitate. I’m still worried about hormone development after maturing.

 

[FunClucks]

Right now we are really working with food. He has learned several words and hand signals. We aren’t really as “strict” in our methods of communicating, but he’s very receptive to tone and body language. He knows “no.” He knows his name. He knows when he is being beckoned and he knows when he is being taught something new. He pays attention. It takes a second to acquire his focus, but once I do, I have a solid few seconds to guide him and he retains it after a few attempts.

So for with food, he right now is being taught a few things— not to take something from our plates unless invited, to take the food gently, and to wait or go away when instructed. He’s not a perfect learner by any means! It takes practicing during these small moments of focus repeatedly, but he absolutely shows progress and understanding. As of right now, he’s learning well how to cohabitate. I’m still worried about hormone development after maturing.

Wow. That's awesome that you've been able to teach him so much! I have no idea how to answer your questions, but that's pretty cool how you guys have been able to communicate!

 

[Sussmarolle]

I have a cockerel (18-20ish weeks). We rescued him thinking he was a hen that we could incorporate into our small outdoor flock, as we already have too few hens.

Since he’s a rooster, and we already have one, he would not last outside for a minute before being just absolutely destroyed.

He’s lived indoors with me, and it’s been wonderful. He’s just starting to come into that stage of maturity where he is testing his status in the household hierarchy and is experimenting with aggression. He is VERY receptive to training, very intelligent and wants to please. Loves praise, and is learning a handful of words. But it’s been interesting working with the aggression part. With hens, you “be their rooster.” With a rooster, how am I supposed to raise him to be submissive to other members of the family when his instincts will tell him to be the ruler? How do I accommodate his natural needs without “losing control of the household?”

I don’t know how his behavior will develop further in time, his future is going to be completely circumstantial and unpredictable at this point, but I’d like advice. I see stories of people with indoor roosters sometimes. So I know it happens. But what’s the reality really look like? I want to keep him as part of our family. But again, he cannot go outside with my flock. And he’s fitting in wonderfully indoors. He’s truly so happy, but I think that’s just because he’s a naturally joyful little dude.

If you have Facebook you should look up “The Adventures of Cotton the House Rooster”. She has had her Roo Cotton indoors for quite a few years and seems like she has things down pat with him. I bet she would be willing to answer any questions you have or advise/tips to give you if you reach out to her? Worth a try at least

 

[Sussmarolle]

I think about 18-20 weeks. But that’s an inexperienced guess. And he’s a barred Plymouth Rock, but I posted in a different thread that this molt is bringing in several, beautiful brown feathers, and some of his neck feathers (I forget the correct term) are starting to flip outwards. I don’t know if this is standard for the barred Plymouth rocks.

Are you positive he is a barred Plymouth Rock? Just curious because his feather pattern looks more like the cuckoo pattern to me. I am definitely not an expert and maybe barred rocks look like that before their teenage molt. I never had barred rocks so not sure. Curious though

 

[erineliot]

Are you positive he is a barred Plymouth Rock? Just curious because his feather pattern looks more like the cuckoo pattern to me. I am definitely not an expert and maybe barred rocks look like that before their teenage molt. I never had barred rocks so not sure. Curious though

I actually think he has many visible differences! So no! I’m not sure at all! Haha. Thanks! I’ll look into it. Cuckoo?