roo raised with older hens - does it make a difference?

[Mrs. K]

I have lately heard two references to a well behaved roo is often a roo raised in a flock of older hens. That you get a much better roo, than if you raise a group of chicks, all the same age and some or one of them is a roo.

In the sibling set up, the roo matures earlier than the pullets, no one is old enough to thump on him and teach him right for wrong, and you get a bully. My last roo was exactly like this, an immature mean bully to me and the hens.

So - I considered my own experience, and my two non aggressive wonderful flockmasters were roosters were raised in a flock with older hens.

I know many of you have had different roos..... would you stop and consider, were they raised just with flock mates - all the same age, or did they come from a multi age flock.

REally hoping this is proved, cause my next roo is under the broody hen right now.

Mrs K

 

[silkiechicken]

My first rooster was an accident in a group of 12 pullets. He was pure gentleman from day one. My second head rooster grew up with the older rooster and hens above him. He was equally as nice, with the exception of the one day he beat up his dad and took top spot. Never human aggressive.

Since my first two roosters... I've had numerous other roosters, all raised with the presense of the older birds, and of those roosters, I've had a bunch go straight to freezer camp due to personality. As far as I've found, is their temperament was more genetic than anything else.

 

[Mrs. K]

dang it.... was sure I was on to something. A sweetheart roo is a joy, and the rest are an irritation until dinner. Mrs K