Rooster has to go...

[twzlrwho]

Wow...I don't think I would keep him even if you could have a rooster. He doesn't sound like a nice guy at all. All my roosters look out for their ladies. Take them into cooler spots, find food for them, and protect them with their life. Mine are NEVER mean to their girls.

 

[twzlrwho]

Sorry double post

 

[The Chicken People]

I know I am afraid he will hurt little bit shes my feather footed bantam and so small..she was supposed to be a buff orpington! I paid for pullets now i am rethinking where to get more in the future! They are all the same age o if I have any more roos shouldnt they be crowing too? Do hens get combs and little wattles?

 

[twzlrwho]

Well how old are they? The roos should have bigger combs and wattles and will be red. The pullets combs and wattles don't turn red until right before they lay. You could check out feathersite.com. They have great pics of all breeds.

 

[logansmommy7]

You know, I had thought about purchasing some chicks online and am SOO glad I didn't. I am not breed picky, or care whether they are mixed, but I found a lady selling chicks for $3 each at 6-7 weeks old, and it is MUCH easier to tell pullets from roos at that age I have found. We have 5 new, nice little EE girls coming up with the flock now...

 

[The Chicken People]

thanks i will go check that site now!

 

[The Chicken People]

Okay so maybe they are hens...

 

[twzlrwho]

HAHA.

for you

 

[The Chicken People]

They will be 14 weeks old tomorrow! thats why I am so attached! I have raised them since day old chicks! I just let all the girls out and I feel bad about keeping my Roo penned up! He doesnt understand what he did wrong...Hes just doing what comes natural..But I dont want them being hurt or laying too soon or red spots in my eggs...Durn it I wish I could just call him food like my dh does!! I know his times coming but I am so sad!!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Quote:
Is he trying to hurt the hens or just mate with them? Some young hens aren't fully receptive to a roo's advances and will squawk & fuss. But most roosters will make the attempt anyway, hanging on to the feathers on the back of the hen's head and scrambling to complete that cloacal kiss.

As long as the roo isn't causing harm to the hens, pulling out feathers, scratching their backs, pecking or flogging them unnecessarily when he's not trying to mate, I think it's acceptable. The roos become sexually mature earlier than the hens so if your flock is all the same age there will be some time between the roo's interest and the hens' receptiveness. When they're ready they should just crouch down when the roo approaches and complete their transaction with minimum of noise or fuss.

But some roos are bullies and can cause injury to their hens, and the best remedy for that is a long relaxing soak in simmering broth. Also, when there is too high a ratio of roos to hens, over 1:10-12, the hens can get worn out from too much attention.

The reality of chicken life is that only about 10% of all roosters will have a place in a flock. That means the other 90% are best appreciated on a plate. This is why I won't tolerate any aggressive roosters in my flock, there are only a few positions available as flock husbands and I'll only keep the most mannerly ones. I know what it is to love a rooster, to raise them from cute fuzzy chicks, to admire a colorfully handsome bird. And I wish everyone good luck in finding "good homes" for their unwanted roos. But if you must give/sell them to someone who will welcome them as dinner guests, comfort yourself in knowing they had the best life possible, and probably the most considerate end most chickens will have.