Rooster Behavior

[RedJasper]

Hi All,

I have several roosters...about 8 (8 out of 10 straight run "red" mix from TSC...how lucky can I get....hehe). They are about 10 weeks old, and growing like weeds.

I am wondering when their behavior starts to change. They are all friendly, a few are a little skiddish, as I pet and hold all of them every day. I have two that especially love to be picked up and held.

At what age do roosters tend to get mean? Because I spend time and hold and touch them everyday, is it possible they won't "turn"?

Thanks for the advise!
Keri

 

[Tomhusker]

I'm fairly new to chickens myself, BUT, I would imagine that they don't "Turn mean," so much as they set up a pecking order to determine the dominant roo in the bunch. I know folks who have roo's that are very affectionate and are a couple of years old.

 

[theFox]

Roos tend to change when their primary goal becomes mating.

They need to be watched because they will become possessive of their hens and will not like other roosters or people (those funny looking roosters that are butt ugly) handling their girls.

Roosters can inflict serious injury on unsuspecting people, especially young children.

There are dozens of threads on this site dealing with such incidents.

Any animal needs to be watched, even those that have been "soft" and "cuddly". I'm certain that there are docile roosters but there is no guarantee that a particular rooster will always be docile.

 

[bigchicken2]

Read this https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=57844 It has a section about socializing roos. I wrote it.

It is my page. If you read it you'll have no problem socializing your roos. Don't let people (mostly kids) throw rocks at them etc. If anyone wants to see your chickens make sure to watch them.

 

[klnlehmann]

I have one roo that is 3 now. He was raised in a day care and so was manhandled from day one. He thinks/knows that little people =watermelon rines and goldfish. No, he doesn't cuddle anymore, but knows that we are not a threat and goes about his free roam with nothing more than an occasional crow.

However, I have 4 roos that are about 13 weeks now. They are already practicing spurring at each other. Still, think the kidsare walking treat machines.

I was told that each rooster needs about 8 hens. So, although not an expert, I would plan on eating, or finding new homes for the extra roos. I found a home for our 2nd dominant of the babies and the group of 6 settled down a bit.

 

[SpringChickens]

Ironically, my rooster, who was the sweetest one growing up, became really mean when he hit puberty. He was handled a lot and was always easy to handle, but once those hormones kicked in that was it!

Our current roos weren't handled much growing up and are really sweet and docile now. They were scared of us until they hit puberty, and now they're no longer scared of us but they also don't show any inclination to attack. They'll follow us around all day looking for treats.

I've heard the same thing from a lot of other members, too. The ones who were socialized a lot when young are the ones who end up mean.

 

[NC29mom]

At what age do they feel the need to breed?

 

[Keara]

I've had roosters "turn" as late as a year and a half.

 

[klnlehmann]

Our first roo turned as soon as it hit puberty. About 20 weeks.

the sweet thing we have now is 3 and still very good.

We have a theory seeing that the chicks are named by kids under 5. Our mean roo was Clairabelle. the sweet one Prince Jasper. and the little sparring champ, Hazel. Give the boys manely names they stay nice. Give them girl names.. time to prove yourself!

Roos are unpredictable.

 

[rcentner]

Quote:
roosters get a bad rap, all my roos are fabulous, 3 adults and 4 cockerals. My roos are not all that handleable though, I can get a quick pet in, but can't actually hold them (without a struggle). It does seem that once they focus on breeding you are not as cool anymore. Some people say that elusive roo's are a good thing and that the nice ones can mis-interpret who head roo is (you) and try to become your head roo.
someone actually said don't throw rocks at them?! what? sounds like some better child rearing needs to happen if they are having rocks thrown at them. I digress, The roos won't likely be as cuddly as hens, but they will still be loveable. My roos call for the hens like they have food when they see me coming cause they know I almost always have food. I think it's cute.