Rooster Behaviors

[SuburbanChickFarmer]

Even though I live in the suburbs, we don't have rules against roosters. I ordered pullets, but well... Now I have 10 hens and 2 roos, they weren't getting along so I separated them and put one roo with the one hen who was kind nervous. It has worked out well because the nervous hen has calmed down and doesn't walk around the pen wringing her feet with worry! The roos alert the other hens to danger and we have quite a bit in the 'burbs; a fox, a coyote, hawks, and many feral cats. The roosters are very good protectors. One is louder than the other, but I usually wait until I'm sure my neighbors are awake to let them out of the coops. So far, no complaints from the neighbors and the hens seem happy.

 

[Pinky]

I love my roosters.I don't think I could manage the flocks without them.My 2 favorite and most friendly roosters are my White Leghorn,Pinky, and my RIR.They do great job watching the hens and looking out for danger.The behavior of my hens didn't change much if at all when I got my first rooster.The hens actually became less timid and trust humans more than they did without him.

 

[Attack Chicken]

I love my leghorn boys he's so sweet. Friendly to me but not my father.

 

[azelgin]

We love our roosters. Well, most of them. Ours crow alot. They crow in the morning. They crow when we turn on any lights near the coop. They crow when the moon comes up. We like em anyway. We had more than we needed so were able to sort out the better dispositioned ones to keep around.

This is Dusty. He looks out for his girls very well and is nice to us as well.

 

[Lorettawyandotte]

I love my roosters...all the crowing does not bother me and I have no close neighbors to worry about...Richard is a Silver Laced Cochin and has two black females of his breed to look after...then there is Walter the Welsummer and Ike the Silver Laced Polish...these two boys live together with twenty hens whom they look after very well...it is hilarious to watch them give the alarm, all the girls beat feet to the coop and the boys stand shoulder to shoulder in the doorway guarding them...these two boys get along very well but team tackle poor Richard if he is in their area...I have him and his two babes seperated now to keep everyone calm and in one piece...

 

[Portia]

My rooster, Brett, is a Salmon Favorelle. He crows A LOT, but then again, we live in the woods so there is always something moving. Still, his crow is not annoying to us and we've not had any complaints from the neighbors. I have another roo, he's a BRxSLW that's about 16 weeks old and hasn't started crowing. He and Brett get along well, in fact he used to snuggle up under Brett at night when he was younger. They're fun to have and to watch as they patrol and protect their hens. Neither of them are aggressive at all.

 

[chookchick]

If the crowing would bother you, or get you in trouble with the neighbors, I would think twice. Here's the progression:

3 mos--oooh, isn't that a cute crow, and only in the morning!

4 mos--wow, he's getting louder, but it's only in morning and evening! next door neighbor notices you have a roo.
5 mos--wow, even better at crowing, crows all morning and several times in evening.
6mos--shut up you stupid bird, geez he's loud!, neighbor down street knows you have a roo! crows at kids, dogs, mailman, a stiff breeze, and at 4 AM

7 mos--hubby says get rid of the roo.

 

[Appytaz]

I have a very sweet silkie roo (Ricky Roo Roo) He is not aggressive with people, chickens or any other animals we have around. He is very good about watching the sky for threats. But, he is a CROWER! He loves to crow. Thank goodness he is quiet most of the night. he goes to be early (before sundown) and he is usually up about sunrise. If someone gets up before that - he will wake up and let out a few crows. I really enjoy having him around. As for making the girls less friendly - I think it is the other way around. When I call them for food or snacks - he is always the 1st one running to me and he calls the girls to come too and tells them he found good stuff.

I have also notices 2 of his sons we have are also like him in the way of being non aggressive. They are mixed with a mutt hen - so they are not full silkie. I don't know if they can pass on the "Nice Gene" or not.

 

[Gloria]

Well I have one rooster. He is the first and last one I will ever have. He doesn't crow too often and when he does there is no one close enough for it to bother. He is real good at protecting his girls.

Last summer a hawk flew down over them and he let out a very strange noise that got my attention. Because of that noise I was able to see what the problem was. He stood out there with me for probably half an hour watching the sky for that big bird to come back. Luckily it never did.

He is the last rooster I will ever have because I can't do anything with any of the girls without him coming after me. The first time he got my right hand it was covered in blood by the time I got back up to the house! Due to being on heart meds.

Also, my granddaughter picked up one of the little pullets last summer and came up to the house with her, just a screaming. My Mr. Roo was chasing her all the way to the house!

So it is something to think about if your going to be letting them free range. I'm almost glad it's winter because I wear my gloves out there now!

 

[phalenbeck]

My Roo (in picture) crows A.M.---stops--then---late afternoon---night----2 a.m. and about any other time. I think he is greeting me/us. I got him for protection of the girls. The crowing is not so bad so far, and the closest neighbor says O.K, but of course he has a couple hoarses, and had chickens as a boy. I keep them cooped till noon due to my lifestyle and schedule. ----He did fail at his job of protection last week in a dog attack, or maybe not. I lost 2 of 10 but perhaps the commotion got me out to save the rest. With luck and age perhaps he will be the protector Roos are supposed to be. He is not allowed to be mean, and gets held weekly if he likes it or not. I cannot imagine a Roo with close neighbors as in a city. It just would not be considerate or reasonable.