Ribh's D'Coopage

[BY Bob]

Cockerels and roosters are great but the relationship you have with your hens would change.
The hens would eventually become his hens and that inevitably causes problems.
The other concern is despite you having a wonderful run, I think you would find that it wasn't big enough with a cockerel as well. Everybody seems to need a lot more room when the boys turn up.

I cannot agree more with @Shadrach When my wife pushed me to keep Jabber, she loved him so, I had to alter my relationship with Patsy and Lilly. They did not understand why they could not hang out with me anymore. I struggled because I simply could not sit in my yard and watch them. They would come over to visit and then Jabber would go off. Patsy and Lilly never "accepted" him and he clearly resented me for it.

My relationship with my flock will not permit a rooster and I value that relationship too much to change it. I understand this now and will not ask a cockerel (should I ever get another one) to grow up in this environment. He will be rehomed early.

I believe that the best roosters grow up with another rooster to show them the ropes as well. Jabber did not really have to earn his time with the ladies, he just took it when he could. I think he would have been a lot better rooster if he had to earn his time and learn his job from an older man.

 

[Kris5902]

I agree that there is a lot to be said for having an experienced Rooster in with cockerels. I have had far less troubles with the most recent batch than I did with my first group, and not all of that is due to just my change in experience level.

Although I don’t have quite as close a relationship to most of my girls as @BY Bob does, I have found that some roosters can learn to share their ladies attention somewhat peaceably. Others, not so much. So some of the troubles you had with Jabber, May have been him as an individual, as well as the environment, and hormones... if you recall what I mention, only half jokingly, about organ size and testosterone poisoning?

Sammy went through a period where he was (and I use this term as it is most commonly applied, not that this was actually the case) quite “aggressive” towards me. He only had four older hens, that weren’t as receptive to him as he would like. And worse, they would take off running and flock to me ignoring him whenever I was around! Clearly I was a threeat to his chicken masculinity. He went from sweet and trustworthy, cuddly boy, to back off get your own hens attack rooster. We have worked things out, I can pick him up and hug and pet him again, and he doesn’t go ballistic when I call or pick up his girls. It took time patience and many meal worms. Based on his age when the issues started it was less hormones and more situational with him.

Chickie Hawk on the other hand is way. More possessive than any of my other Roosters. And hasn’t really grown out of it, he’s just mellowed a little.

 

[Ribh]

I cannot agree more with @Shadrach When my wife pushed me to keep Jabber, she loved him so, I had to alter my relationship with Patsy and Lilly. They did not understand why they could not hang out with me anymore. I struggled because I simply could not sit in my yard and watch them. They would come over to visit and then Jabber would go off. Patsy and Lilly never "accepted" him and he clearly resented me for it.

My relationship with my flock will not permit a rooster and I value that relationship too much to change it. I understand this now and will not ask a cockerel (should I ever get another one) to grow up in this environment. He will be rehomed early.

I believe that the best roosters grow up with another rooster to show them the ropes as well. Jabber did not really have to earn his time with the ladies, he just took it when he could. I think he would have been a lot better rooster if he had to earn his time and learn his job from an older man.

I agree, Bob. I ended up with 1/2 a dozen Wyandotte cockerels that someone offloaded onto a complete newbie who had no idea... They were gorgeous birds but once those hormones kicked in they terrorized the neighbourhood & had to go. I think I'm the only person they didn't attack. Even if I had the space to do it I'm not sure I'd want a rooster. I enjoy an all hen flock just because of the difference it makes to my relationship with the girls. No, I don't want lap chickens but I enjoy having them come over for a personal chat or to grab a treat. Besides, my neighbours would never forgive me! Not even free eggs could make up for those 3am crows.

 

[Shadrach]

I cannot agree more with @Shadrach When my wife pushed me to keep Jabber, she loved him so, I had to alter my relationship with Patsy and Lilly. They did not understand why they could not hang out with me anymore. I struggled because I simply could not sit in my yard and watch them. They would come over to visit and then Jabber would go off. Patsy and Lilly never "accepted" him and he clearly resented me for it.

My relationship with my flock will not permit a rooster and I value that relationship too much to change it. I understand this now and will not ask a cockerel (should I ever get another one) to grow up in this environment. He will be rehomed early.

I believe that the best roosters grow up with another rooster to show them the ropes as well. Jabber did not really have to earn his time with the ladies, he just took it when he could. I think he would have been a lot better rooster if he had to earn his time and learn his job from an older man.

What Bob said.
I get minimal problems here with roosters for the following reasons:
I've got space. Lots of it.
I've got generations of males who do most of the difficult stuff for me.
The hens have had roosters around them for over a decade. Most can take care of themselves.
When it's rough I patch them up and off they go to fight another day.
I've been dealing with roosters for ten years, always free range. I don't seperate/isolate for difficult behaviour, not hens or roosters and often not when sick or injured.
I'll kill and eat a rooster who continues to try to fight to the death. It's happened twice. One them is going to die anyway.

 

[BY Bob]

I agree, Bob. I ended up with 1/2 a dozen Wyandotte cockerels that someone offloaded onto a complete newbie who had no idea... They were gorgeous birds but once those hormones kicked in they terrorized the neighbourhood & had to go. I think I'm the only person they didn't attack. Even if I had the space to do it I'm not sure I'd want a rooster. I enjoy an all hen flock just because of the difference it makes to my relationship with the girls. No, I don't want lap chickens but I enjoy having them come over for a personal chat or to grab a treat. Besides, my neighbours would never forgive me! Not even free eggs could make up for those 3am crows.

Jabber was an ALL NIGHT crower. It was too much. Rooster Cogburn was not. He greated the sun.

 

[Ribh]

What Bob said.
I get minimal problems here with roosters for the following reasons:
I've got space. Lots of it.
I've got generations of males who do most of the difficult stuff for me.
The hens have had roosters around them for over a decade. Most can take care of themselves.
When it's rough I patch them up and off they go to fight another day.
I've been dealing with roosters for ten years, always free range. I don't seperate/isolate for difficult behaviour, not hens or roosters and often not when sick or injured.
I'll kill and eat a rooster who continues to try to fight to the death. It's happened twice. One them is going to die anyway.

Space is my 1st issue. I just don't consider I have enough of it to have a rooster. The girls do well with the space they have ~ partly because my fence hoppers allow for everyone else to have a little extra if things get heated. Mostly they forage around the run perimeter & stay in our yard so I don't overly stress if they get out. I was free ranging more but plants is one of our business ventures & the man was getting tetchy about where they were venturing. We have nearly an acre but most of it is unusable. Even the chickens don't venture too far onto the hill, which is steep & full of biggish holes.

 

[Grammy60]

Good morning everyone any plans for today?

 

[Ribh]

Good morning everyone any plans for today?

Afternoon, Sue.
I'm heading to the mainland this afternoon to catch up with youngest & hand over her Christmas presents. Depending on her time restrictions we may go & look @ paint & wool. I have 2 projects almost ready to go in the mail but ran out of wool on both of them besides waiting on buttons. One is for a Canadian friend's 2nd grandchild so getting some Aussie animal buttons for that. We've known each other virtually for almost 20 years so it really is a love project.

what about you?

 

[MaryJanet]

I cannot agree more with @Shadrach When my wife pushed me to keep Jabber, she loved him so, I had to alter my relationship with Patsy and Lilly. They did not understand why they could not hang out with me anymore. I struggled because I simply could not sit in my yard and watch them. They would come over to visit and then Jabber would go off. Patsy and Lilly never "accepted" him and he clearly resented me for it.

My relationship with my flock will not permit a rooster and I value that relationship too much to change it. I understand this now and will not ask a cockerel (should I ever get another one) to grow up in this environment. He will be rehomed early.

I believe that the best roosters grow up with another rooster to show them the ropes as well. Jabber did not really have to earn his time with the ladies, he just took it when he could. I think he would have been a lot better rooster if he had to earn his time and learn his job from an older man.

Makes a lot of sense @BY Bob

 

[Kris5902]

I'll kill and eat a rooster who continues to try to fight to the death. It's happened twice. One them is going to die anyway.

This at fist seems awfully harsh to many, I’m sure... but when you stop and consider it, it’s the most sensible thing to do and probably the best for all parties concerned. That assertive a rooster would just continue picking fights and either seriously injuring or killing others, until he finally got himself killed by a better opponent. And think of all the suffering from injuries he would have as well. A quick end and a good meal, sad but also necessary and kind at the same time.