- May 11, 2010
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As soon as I realized I had two cockerels I knew I would be culling either one or both. So, as time went by, I watched the two mature. Neither caused a squabble as teenagers and my brood grew into a close knit group.
As time passed, the hormones began to change the cockerels appearance. Combs turned red and wattles began to grow. The two never fought each other so I allowed more time to pass. Stan the Man began to grow tall while Little Joe remained a shade shorter and had a bulkier frame. However, Little Joe began to display behavior I did not like to see in a young man. He'd shoot across the coop to grab a pullet by the head and drag her around. I'd snatch him up and carry him around just to intimidate him. He actually began to wait for me to pick him up. He liked being taller than Stan the Man.
While I never observed the two cockerels challenging each other, I did see Little Sister go after Little Joe who became upset when Stan the Man shared a bit of bread with a pullet. Little Joe and Little Sister went at each other like two roosters fighting to the death. I snatched up Little Joe who immediately quieted and gazed calmly about with his beautiful eyes. Little Sister followed me, squawking threats at Little Joe. The entire flock was nervous, pullets jumping and hiding, nobody was happy. And neither was I.
I made my decision then. Little Joe had to go. The hubby had a friend who needed a rooster and I told this fellow about Little Joe's girl problems and I would not recommend using Joe as a breeding rooster just because of his rather aggressive nature.
So, Little Joe is gone and Stan the Man is one happy rooster. The flock has settled and I no longer hear irritated shrieks from the gals. Stan the Man has always been more of a nurturer-he'd willingly share his food with his flock. And he has Little Sister's seal of approval.
As time passed, the hormones began to change the cockerels appearance. Combs turned red and wattles began to grow. The two never fought each other so I allowed more time to pass. Stan the Man began to grow tall while Little Joe remained a shade shorter and had a bulkier frame. However, Little Joe began to display behavior I did not like to see in a young man. He'd shoot across the coop to grab a pullet by the head and drag her around. I'd snatch him up and carry him around just to intimidate him. He actually began to wait for me to pick him up. He liked being taller than Stan the Man.
While I never observed the two cockerels challenging each other, I did see Little Sister go after Little Joe who became upset when Stan the Man shared a bit of bread with a pullet. Little Joe and Little Sister went at each other like two roosters fighting to the death. I snatched up Little Joe who immediately quieted and gazed calmly about with his beautiful eyes. Little Sister followed me, squawking threats at Little Joe. The entire flock was nervous, pullets jumping and hiding, nobody was happy. And neither was I.
I made my decision then. Little Joe had to go. The hubby had a friend who needed a rooster and I told this fellow about Little Joe's girl problems and I would not recommend using Joe as a breeding rooster just because of his rather aggressive nature.
So, Little Joe is gone and Stan the Man is one happy rooster. The flock has settled and I no longer hear irritated shrieks from the gals. Stan the Man has always been more of a nurturer-he'd willingly share his food with his flock. And he has Little Sister's seal of approval.
