Rooster Chat

[cowboysgirlfrnd]

Are the roosters bickering

Very occasionally, they will go at it for maybe 20 or 30 seconds, then they go back to eating, foraging, sun bathing, whatever else they were doing. They generally seem to get along well at the moment.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

This could turn into something else if one decides he doesn't wanna stop.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Very occasionally, they will go at it for maybe 20 or 30 seconds, then they go back to eating, foraging, sun bathing, whatever else they were doing. They generally seem to get along well at the moment.

That's pretty normal for young roosters. I've kept flock mates together for years, occasionally they might actually fight but usually the pecking order is worked out in the manner that you are seeing. Those raised together will often tolerate each other and some enjoy each other's company, and will form a coalition.

It's different when they weren't raised together, though generally the younger rooster will respect the older rooster and give him distance when he's near.

 

[cowboysgirlfrnd]

That's pretty normal for young roosters. I've kept flock mates together for years, occasionally they might actually fight but usually the pecking order is worked out in the manner that you are seeing. Those raised together will often tolerate each other and some enjoy each other's company, and will form a coalition.

It's different when they weren't raised together, though generally the younger rooster will respect the older rooster and give him distance when he's near.

That's what I was hoping! These two have been roommates since they were just days old, and are usually snuggled up in the chick pile at night. I've read in a lot of places that you need 10+ hens per rooster as they get older. How true is this?

 

[TheTwoRoos]

I do not believe. They say that so they do not get "Overly" mated,BUT the thing is,roosters will be selective with certain his called "favorites".

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It depends on the roosters, I always like to wait and see before making decisions I can't undo. Sometimes they tag team mate, others will have one who controls the hens with the other on the outskirts, and sometimes there's outright war. You just never know. Things like how much room can play a factor, and whether one can get away if necessary. They are all so different.

 

[Amelia Egghart]

I'm introducing chicks soon, first time ever. They're 7.5 weeks old and outside during the day in a grow out coop/run. They're meeting the adult birds but through the hardware cloth.

I was worried about my rooster but looks like the hens will be the problem!

Nero lays up against the hardware cloth, sunbathing (he never sunbathes there), clucking quietly and keeping his head low. When he wants to change position, he keeps really low, crawls to the next spot and pushes his head up against the hardware cloth. He lets the little ones peck at his comb and feet and pull on his long feathers.

What?!? Is that normal for roosters?

Meanwhile, the girls have huge, wary eyes, peck violently at the hardware cloth or just ignore the little ones.

Huh.

Ok, so any suggestions? Is he being a good boy only until they're free and then.... chaos? One of the chicks is a cockerel I intend on selling (a silver phoenix that was a rescue), how long do I have before THAT becomes its own issue?

Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Many of my roosters will help raise and take care of chicks, the good ones at least. I don't recall any roosters pecking chicks, just the hens. I believe the rooster will always think they are potentially his offspring, the hens know they aren't theirs. That's my theory.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

I'm introducing chicks soon, first time ever. They're 7.5 weeks old and outside during the day in a grow out coop/run. They're meeting the adult birds but through the hardware cloth.

I was worried about my rooster but looks like the hens will be the problem!

Nero lays up against the hardware cloth, sunbathing (he never sunbathes there), clucking quietly and keeping his head low. When he wants to change position, he keeps really low, crawls to the next spot and pushes his head up against the hardware cloth. He lets the little ones peck at his comb and feet and pull on his long feathers.

What?!? Is that normal for roosters?

Meanwhile, the girls have huge, wary eyes, peck violently at the hardware cloth or just ignore the little ones.

Huh.

Ok, so any suggestions? Is he being a good boy only until they're free and then.... chaos? One of the chicks is a cockerel I intend on selling (a silver phoenix that was a rescue), how long do I have before THAT becomes its own issue?

Thanks!

It's normal for "Broody Roosters".You could try releasing them with the roo,If the hens trying to attack the chicks,he may beat the crap outta the hens.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Many of my roosters will help raise and take care of chicks, the good ones at least. I don't recall any roosters pecking chicks, just the hens. I believe the rooster will always think they are potentially his offspring, the hens know they aren't theirs. That's my theory.

I have a chick aggressive rooster,my second one.He doesn't really "attack" them,he tries proving himslef and making sure they stay in the right place.