- May 31, 2016
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I was wondering if other flock owners have experienced this. I have a 3 1/2 year old Phoenix Bantam Rooster (as seen in my avatar). Originally called Roadrunner, because that's what he looked like as a juvenile, we renamed him Braveheart, after he fought off a baby hawk. He is the only bird left from my first flock of 8 adopted in May 2016 (6 were meat birds and did not last long). He is our pride and joy - a great rooster - alert, protective, and always on guard. Three months ago, we adopted a silver duckwing bantam rooster who was born last Spring. After a slow integration, they get along fine - of course, this could change, as lil' roo is still a juvenile. Here is what I have noticed since adding my tiny guy: Braveheart - who NEVER laid down during the day, except to take a sand bath, now seems to be taking it easy. We have a huge patch of dense brush, called the "jungle", where our free range flock hides and hangs out in our yard all day. In the last month, we have noticed him resting - body stretched out, laying down with the hens - while lil' roo stands guard on the edge of the jungle. At first, we thought he might be sick and brought him in, we checked him over, he was fine. He was molting and we had an unbearably hot summer here in Mass. - we figured those were the reasons. In the last 2 weeks, though, temps have dropped - he is still taking it easy. Yesterday, I caught him snoozing mid-day! The day before, while I was gardening, lil roo initiated a hawk alert - Braveheart immediately jumped up, took over, led the flock deeper into the jungle and both sounded the hawk alert until it flew away. His behavior is normal in every other way - great appetite, tail held high, red comb, etc. My husband thinks he is just taking time off after 3 years of sentry duty. It made me wonder: is 3 1/2 old for a rooster? When do roosters start to slow down?
