Shadrach's Ex Battery and Rescued chickens thread.

[fuzzi]

In 2024 I allowed a broody to hatch five eggs. They all were cockerels.

This is from the night before they went to auction. I kept the little guy in the back.

He's all grown up.

And he's a great rooster.

 

[lightm]

I just wanted to pop in and say thank you to all of you who have been encouraging to me in keeping Mr. Chips my accidental cockerel.
His death has been more of a gut punch than seems reasonable for a creature I have really only started to get to know, but sometimes there is no logic to these things.
I felt the need to pull his story together in one place. Many of you will be familiar but in case not, here is the story of Mr. Chips.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/goodbye-mr-chips.80391/

You wrote so well, RC. It brought me tears. Mr. Chips, farewell and roost in peace. You were greatly loved by the princesses and much beyond!

 

[Molpet]

Saw yet another post on Reddit where someone was having the "I really like this rooster but he's started showing aggression" problem. Comments were predictable, all either "kill him" or "put him in his place." At least a few pointed out that one shouldn't judge a rooster when he's that young.

I left my 2¢. Actually several paragraphs of my opinion. I hope it'll make a difference for that rooster, but the mainstream attitude towards roosters is frustrating me again. Maybe I need to grow a thicker skin, but if I can even get one person to give their rooster a chance, it would be worth it, right?

I'm once again really thankful for this thread, it's refreshing to get away from all of that.

I link Shadrach 's article

 

[kattabelly]

Not saying it's the only factor by any means but I really think the *scary mean aggressive rooster needs to be killed* thing is self-perpetuating, a lot of the time. People hear that most cockerels are bad and they'll only get worse, so that's what they see and react to, so that's what they get and that's the "reality" that they pass on to the next person.

 

[RoyalChick]

Not saying it's the only factor by any means but I really think the *scary mean aggressive rooster needs to be killed* thing is self-perpetuating, a lot of the time. People hear that most cockerels are bad and they'll only get worse, so that's what they see and react to, so that's what they get and that's the "reality" that they pass on to the next person.

And that was why I was so nervous at the start when I realized Chippy was Mr. Chips.
And now I don’t know if Mr. Chips was a super special guy (of course he was to me!), or whether it is usual for a cockerel to be so lovely if he has enough space and you treat him with some respect.

 

[SimpleJenn]

And that was why I was so nervous at the start when I realized Chippy was Mr. Chips.
And now I don’t know if Mr. Chips was a super special guy (of course he was to me!), or whether it is usual for a cockerel to be so lovely if he has enough space and you treat him with some respect.

I mean, look at Riddick! He's never shown any aggression other than chasing cockerels that were too pushy with the ladies. He isn't friendly enough to touch but he is a very calm boy.

 

[rural mouse]

And that was why I was so nervous at the start when I realized Chippy was Mr. Chips.
And now I don’t know if Mr. Chips was a super special guy (of course he was to me!), or whether it is usual for a cockerel to be so lovely if he has enough space and you treat him with some respect.

My guys have space outside the coop and, while they can get into spats, they are generally good boys. Last week when we had visitors feeding bananas, one came up behind us. There was simply a turn, acknowledge his presence and a bit of banana went his way too. Yet I see all sorts of warnings about not letting your roo come up behind and get the drop on you. RESPECT is huge, and frequently ignored. You did an outstanding job learning about cockerels and I think adding one in again, will learn even more. There are some differences when bringing in older birds vs chicks (any bird still in peep-peep phase), mostly in how the birds interact. That all depends upon them.

 

[RoyalChick]

My guys have space outside the coop and, while they can get into spats, they are generally good boys. Last week when we had visitors feeding bananas, one came up behind us. There was simply a turn, acknowledge his presence and a bit of banana went his way too. Yet I see all sorts of warnings about not letting your roo come up behind and get the drop on you. RESPECT is huge, and frequently ignored. You did an outstanding job learning about cockerels and I think adding one in again, will learn even more. There are some differences when bringing in older birds vs chicks (any bird still in peep-peep phase), mostly in how the birds interact. That all depends upon them.

I think if I were to bring on another one it would be because Tassels forces my hand on letting her raise chicks.
She is hard to deny!

 

[HiEverybirdy]

Mr. Chips was special. And so are all the roosters I've known personally

Your lovely article is a nice reminder of the thoughtful work you did to let Tassels raise a family, which you shared a lot about on this thread.

In some ways, it was similar to how much work I undertook to introduce 3 pullets to bachelor Andre the Giant Chicken...only to have the apple of his eye, Miss Starla, taken by a bobcat before she reached 1 1/2 years old.

I still tear up missing Starla. It's just so sad she's not here. She was a calm, independent, smart chicken, and Peck and Nugs adored her.

Over a year later, I haven't decided whether to try introducing more hens to that group but am leaning towards not. Despite the loss of their north star Starla, Peck and Nugs have maintained their chickeny joie de vivre. And Andre stays busy enough with 2 Adventure Speckles.

It would be different if she were the rooster; I'm so used to rooster-led groups that I know how much I'd miss having one. Best of luck as you think through next steps.

Starla out front.

 

[rural mouse]

I think if I were to bring on another one it would be because Tassels forces my hand on letting her raise chicks.
She is hard to deny!

TASSELS, GO BROODY NOW!!! Mr Chips offspring!