roo ?

[Mrs. K]

Last summer had a hen go broody, got eggs from a wonderful stranger, and hatched them out, not pure bred, but I was happy. Decided to keep one red one with a green tail for my rooster. He is going on 5 months. He has in the flock 4 older layers, and 3 pullets the same age as he is. I just keep them all together. He does not act roo like yet, still a bit smaller than the layers, and does not crow. I culled the rest of the roos.

My plan is just to keep them all together in the flock, and eventually he will grow up and start being like a roo, will this work? The older hens will give him a good peck every so often, but for the most part they all get along. It is just the right size flock for my set up. I have read about introducing roos to a flock, but never raising a roo in the flock. I can't see why this won't work, but thought I would ask.

mk

 

[Mahonri]

yup give him time. It would be great if you could show us a pic of him.

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

My rooster "matured" around 4 months. He had a weird crow at first but eventually got it right. The mating thing took a little longer.

When he first got interested in the pullets, he had trouble figuring out how to subdue and mount them. They did not like having their combs chomped and that earned him a feed scoop at high velocity. He softened his approach with the ladies and had some success.

He has been kind of hit and miss as a progenitor . That is OK since I really got him to keep the hens alive when trouble comes calling .

 

[abhaya]

he should do fine. A word of advice make sure he knows you are alfa.

 

[Chicken Chat]

When my boys were smaller than the hens, they got bossed by the girls. Now the shoe is on the other foot. Actually, you have a good situation. IMO it is much more difficult to introduce a mature roo into your flock.

 

[Mrs. K]

good, I will try and put a picture, he has a muff, all red and a dark green tail!