I hear all these stories of mean roos, but I have been sooo lucky. I do have a high roo to hen ratio, but aside from a few girls having worn backs (Im going to try Hensavers), I dont have problems. The boys take turns looking out for different girls. Matings are usually cancelled out by another boy running over. They are totally respectful of me-nobody has remotely tried anything naughty around me-perhaps they sense that I took them from a likely fate with a stew pot. I dont let them mate in front of me and thats pretty much the only behavioral intervention I ever need. Ive had them for a year and a half; they were all between 6-15 months old when I got them, so I figured if they were going to turn mean or hormonal they would have done so already.
The only issue is that last winter, they started picking on Spitz, the black and white guy. Mostly, hes allowed to roost last. I let him out of the pen every morning to free range, whether or not I let everyone else out. He hangs out with the younger hens when theyre all out. I love this guy. Hes very friendly and comes when I call. Sometimes I can hold him and give him wattle rubs.
Because of all the roos, I was hesitant to take Frank, the buff Polish, from the petting farm where I worked. But many of the birds were being sold/sent to auction and I didnt like the odds for a tail-less roo (now growing back). Frank was the most chivalrous boy Ive ever seen. He would test treats, then drop them on the ground and call the hens over. He never took advantage if he was alone to gobble up the food while nobody was looking. I HAD to give him a chance. When I first got him home, he was challenged of course. He was scared and got stuck in a cinder block that holds up the coop. I started letting him out of the pen with Spitz, and even though hes adjusted, he still likes to come out.
Last week Spitz seemed a little listless and I was worried, though I couldnt see anything physically wrong. Frank stayed by his side. And Ive noticed they still stay together a lot, even when all the birds are out. I didnt know it was possible, but the two roosters seem like good friends. I hope it doesn't change. I LOVE roos. Too bad they usually don't love each other.
The only issue is that last winter, they started picking on Spitz, the black and white guy. Mostly, hes allowed to roost last. I let him out of the pen every morning to free range, whether or not I let everyone else out. He hangs out with the younger hens when theyre all out. I love this guy. Hes very friendly and comes when I call. Sometimes I can hold him and give him wattle rubs.
Because of all the roos, I was hesitant to take Frank, the buff Polish, from the petting farm where I worked. But many of the birds were being sold/sent to auction and I didnt like the odds for a tail-less roo (now growing back). Frank was the most chivalrous boy Ive ever seen. He would test treats, then drop them on the ground and call the hens over. He never took advantage if he was alone to gobble up the food while nobody was looking. I HAD to give him a chance. When I first got him home, he was challenged of course. He was scared and got stuck in a cinder block that holds up the coop. I started letting him out of the pen with Spitz, and even though hes adjusted, he still likes to come out.
Last week Spitz seemed a little listless and I was worried, though I couldnt see anything physically wrong. Frank stayed by his side. And Ive noticed they still stay together a lot, even when all the birds are out. I didnt know it was possible, but the two roosters seem like good friends. I hope it doesn't change. I LOVE roos. Too bad they usually don't love each other.
