Should I let my hens choose their own roo?

[sred98]

I've got 2 Barred Rock roos that are getting mature. I had one picked out to keep. He has the best coloring and is a sweet boy. The last few days, my "big girls" have been hanging out with the "other" roo. He is grazing with them, and they let him roost with them. I haven't noticed him doing anything like finding treats, or anything like that. He isn't as pretty as the other BR. His wings and tail are pretty muddled, and he isn't as big.

The other one isn't mean to the girls at all, he just isn't allowed to hang out with them. He is much prettier and a larger bird. I don't have any BR hens, yet, but plan on getting some in the future, so the correct coloring would matter then.

I guess if they prefer that one, he should be the one I keep? I mean, they must know something I don't, right?

Shelly

 

[birdlover]

Apparently, he has assumed the position of alpha roo. I don't know how they decide that but it sounds like he's it! I'm sure, if you remove the one you don't want, the other will step in as #1 and they will accept him. I had a similar situation and that's what ended up happening. I think YOU should decide which one to keep; after all, who's the boss?!

 

[sred98]

Well...I guess I need to give a little more background on my flock dynamics. I have basically 3 flocks within my big flock. In the main flock, I have my 3 big girls, and now this roo. Then, I have what I call "The Hooligans" these are my assorted roos that roam the yard creating havoc. Then, my misfit group. This is where my EE are. The other birds hate them, so they stick together with an orphaned Buff Orpington. My wellsummer pair kind of hang out with the hooligans, but not exclusively. Maybe I really have 4 flocks, within a flock??

Sheesh! Chicken politics are SO complicated!

The roo with my big girls is not the top roo. I think he actually got beat up by the other roos, and they let him in. The top roo, or the biggest and the first one to crow, actually got kicked out of the flock, which is what started the split in the first place. He tried to breed my big girls, and my dominant hen kicked his butt and he can't even eat with them. His name is Dinner, and that is his destiny.

Anyway, I guess my point is, he isn't the top roo, he doesn't accept challenges, and he isn't the biggest. They have never let anyone in their group before, so I was confused about why this one.

As far as me deciding, well...my head hen will torment any roo that comes near her to death. I just haven't seen him being "roo-ish" in any way with her, or the other 2 big girls. Maybe I'll wait it out a little longer and see.

Shelly