starting out good with your rooster

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hey fellow chicken lovers,

I am new to chickens, just ordered my first batch of chicks the other day.
All BO, 15 Pullets, 1 roo.

My questions is... What is the best way to start out good with a rooster?
I want him to like me so what things can I do to help encourage that as
he grown up?

Also, at what point will I know if he is not going to work? Is there a time frame before
he gets mature that I will know if he is not going to work? I don't want to wait till
he is big and has spurs to do something if he is not a good roo.

Thanks

 

[packmomma]

Well I am doing the same thing you are..finally getting a roo. I have had chickens for 2 years though. I am holding mine alot, he's only like a month old or so...and I'm pretty sure he's a he lol. I think I have two in my batch so I will jsut see if he's friendly. I have two kids 9 and 10 and dont want them chased around the yard..or my dog for that matter..she's small too. if it doesnt work out he will be separate while others free range and I'll just use him for breeding..or stew..just depends how I'm feeling that day.

 

[Froghorn]

My rooster which I lost in a freak accident this winter was fabulous. He was a black copper. Just 10 months old he was. All I did was hold him a lot and talk to him. He was so so docile. I am really sad and miss him. I just got another black copper chick that I am hoping will turn out the same but you just never know. I have had other beautiful roosters but none with this loving character as Omar. I do sometimes believe that the breed has much to do with it.

 

[darin367]

they're like people, some of them are nice and some of them are mean....... you just don't know until you get to know em......

 

[al6517]

The first thing is if you want a good rooster is to not be his friend, don't hold coddle or talk kissy poo type stuff. As he grows he will treat you as one of his flock and this often times is the root of the problem. if you treat him as a pet he will never know who's boss, when they know you are the alfa Male there is rarely a problem. this method is much easier than trying reverse a rooster with an attitude.

AL

 

[midget_farms]

I agree somewhat with the previous post. Roosters need to know you are the top rooster or they will believe they are the top.

Only the top rooster gets to be mean & all the rest have to submit.

Now - how do you ensure your rooster knows you are the boss? If your starting from a chick - grab him up & hold him when ever you first arrive. Don't ever let him go if he is fussing or flapping. As he gets bigger pick him up by his feet & let him hang upside down. This does not hurt them in any way (if they are not babies - say 3 months or older) and they quickly understand if they are bad they get hung upside down.

Beyond that - I treat mine just like all the rest.

As far as knowing one is good or bad - it really can take a while - its easy to tell the bad ones early - but the good ones may decide to be bad later.