Roosters towards other animals

[SarahFair]

My dD Qnts a rooster to hang around his house cause he loves the crowing. He said he wants one of mine which I think is great cause Ill get to watch them grow up. I hatched them out May 25 of this year.
My dad has a little JRT and a couple cats that are indoor/outdoor. At what age should I give it to him and how will a full grown rooster respond to a dog this size that might bark at it? I know it wont attack cause its one of those all bark and no bite dogs..
(This dog got beat up by a declawed cat...)

 

[MalloryBranchFarm]

I thought I would share my experiences about mixing roosters with other animals - I have 5 roosters and 3 hens at the moment. Most of them are only about 6 months old. Anyway, everyone is free ranging and in a coop together at night. I have three cats outside; the cats have definately been conditioned (by the chickens) to leave the chickens alone. They do not bother the flock at all and the flock does not bother the cats, other than to steal the catfood from their bowls on the porch. I also have an indoor pomeranian; she is not afraid of the chickens and sometimes will run at them if she thinks I'm not looking (as I don't allow that behavior on her part). The chickens do not care for her, but don't seem to be terribly afraid of her either. I think the main point in helping them train the cats and not fear the dog is that they are a flock. A single chicken can be rather timid and may be nervous or more likely to fear or take a lower pecking rank to an animal who is not a chicken. In my experience, chickens, like many animals, prefer not to be alone. Maybe you can convince your dD to take a hen as well. Nothing is more fun than watching the interaction between a hen and her rooster. I can't answer the question about at what age your rooster would be safe to start strutting his stuff elsewhere. Maybe some one else can help you with that. Good luck!

 

[chickenshagg]

I have 3 roosters and 3 hens and my wife has 3 cats. My chickens free range when I am home and the cats are always in and out of the house. The chickens and the cats all get along just fine. sometimes the chickens will run at a cat but the cat will turn away. All of them will come running together to me whenever I whistle. The chickens were about 9 weeks when I let them out alongside the cats. When the run and hen house are open the cats will go in and out with no trouble from anyone.

Also, the roosters have never ran at the cats but I have seen the hens do it several times.

 

[SarahFair]

I thought about letting him have a hen as well but I didnt want her to get over 'stimulated' by the rooster. I had 2 hens with a rooster once and one of my hens got the worst of it on her back.

Plus I would only beable to give him brother and sister but I guess it wouldnt matter as long as they didnt hatch them...right?

 

[MalloryBranchFarm]

Yes, I think if you aren't going to hatch resulting eggs, siblings should be fine. As far as the hen getting too much 'attention' you may be able to pick out a pair that get along well and a male who isn't overly alpha. I have two roosters who are so sweet to their hens, and then I have the other type. Just watch for a nice one; although I have to admit, some of the manly behavior didn't show itself in my roos until they were about 4 months old.

 

[c_soto1990]

the roo might flare up and get defensive,but if the dog wont bite I think thats as far as it goes.Thats how it is for me anayways.