Surprise cockerel......what do I do now?

[tacmomma12]

Hey all, looking for some advice.

We got an entire new batch of chickens in the spring to replace our last three that were killed by hawks. Two RIR we got in March, 5 in May. The second I opened the box from the hatchery, I knew we were in trouble. I tried to deny it, but the adorable Black Australorp already had a tiny comb. Though it was only my second batch, I was pretty sure they hadn't sent me a pullet with this one. But since it was my second batch ever, I thought, hey maybe I'm not an expert, so I'll wait.

Weeks go buy, and I'm still on the fence about 'Blackie'. Doesn't quite act like the roos I've heard about as a chick, and is super, super friendly. Becomes my favorite, by far.

They are between 9-10 weeks old now. Blackie isn't nasty to the others, but is definently in charge. Comb and Wattles much bigger than his/her sister's, but not really seeing the feathering much different. This morning I go out to give them their fruit and veggies along with feed/water.


Something that sounds like a child's parade horn comes from the run 3-4 times. CROWING!!!!!! I about fell over laughing and I think "Black Jack" ( new name) was a little bit offended. But..........I WAS RIGHT ALL ALONG!
At least I think so now.



Is it normal for a roo to wait until 10 weeks to start crowing? Is it possible that I have a girl who's just confused?

We were planning to coop our girls this time, rather than free range, because of hawks, but I'm not sure how that will work with a rooster.

I'm not sure we will keep him, for now we'll try it. He seems like a real sweetheart, but if he turns nasty we will not be able to keep h him around. Hoping for his sake he stays nice. Roos are very hard to find homes for up here.

However, if we do keep him, how does that work with eggs? Do I have to candle each and every one?


I'm going to email My Pet Chicken, which is where we got him, to get the refund maybe, but it's hardly worth it, because we won't get shipping and are still out a hen. I wish they'd send another chicken instead!


Anyhow, thanks for any advice on how this works. I'm not sure if we will keep him, but just in case I want to be prepared!

I'll take a picture of my handsome Black Jack later if anyone wants to confirm a him for me!

 

[azygous]

You have written an account that almost precisely mirrors my own experience since I got my chicks back in May from MPC. I ordered all pullets from MPC and made certain I chose breeds that are easily visually sexed at hatching so I wouldn' end up with any roos. Two are cockerels!

And they are very sweet, like your Black Jack. My Strawberry falls asleep in my lap, but has taken to crowing every morning, sounding like a screech owl.

Finding homes for roos in my area is nearly impossible. I will just have to see how it goes and segregate if necessary. If you end up with any more males, you have the risk that they'll have bloody fights. I had that problem with the last pair I raised and had to keep them apart. It was quite the juggling act.

I got confirmation on my two male chicks by going on the "What Breed or Gender" forum. I got instant professional results. Take some close-up full body shots, and they'll tell you what Black Jack is. But you're probably right, seeing as he already has a comb going and pullets don't crow.

And, no, you don't have to candle eggs just because they may be fertile. It won't affect the quality as long as they're refrigerated after you gather them.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I'm sorry you lost your first batch.

As for keeping the rooster. You do not need to candle eggs daily. It takes over 24 hours of their body heat to start development. So you're not eating a baby chick I promise. It is normal to wait until 10 weeks to crow. I had one wait 8 months. It's just all in due time.

You can house them together. It should be fine, but you can always cull him if he's nasty. Or re-home, whichever you're more comfortable with. I personally think rehoming a mean rooster is unfair to the next person and not worth breeding anyways.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Depending on your number of hens, more than one rooster can successfully be raised together. You'd need a lot of extra hens and lot of space for everyone as well as decent personalities from the roosters, but it can be done.

 

[tacmomma12]

I'll post these over in Gender/Breed too, but I figured you all might want to see. Thanks for the tips, and for putting me to ease about fertilized eggs!

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Definitely looks like a boy. As long as you can own a rooster and he doesn't cause much problems I think you should keep him. We have a had a beast rooster (we ate him ) but we have a doll of a rooster now. He keeps the ladies in line and protects them. He respects peoples distance and helps watch over new chicks. I guess I'm trying to say some roosters can be very rewarding.

 

[tacmomma12]

Thank you BayBay! No ordinances in my town. I know of two other people close who have chickens, both have/had roosters. As long as he stays the sweetheart I've seen so far, and the neighbors don't complain when he starts crowing, we will keep him. Neighbors are more of a worry at this point, though the two closest are hardly ever home....

If not, I'm probably going to cull him or give him away. It's all really new.

 

[BayBay Peepers]

Good luck to you! I hope it all works out.

 

[Folly's place]

I love having nice roosters! They make for a normal social order in the flock, are beautiful, and a good alarm system for the hens. Human aggressive boys are very tasty in either your crockpot, or someone else's. Enjoy him, walk through him rather than around, don't let him breed the girls right in front of you, and don't try to make him a pet. He should be aware of you and get out of your way; no dancing, flaring, or coming at you at all. Mary

 

[The Grove]

You can eat fertilized eggs, as long as you collect them daily and a broody hen isn't sitting on them. All the eggs I eat are fertilized and I've never seen anything remotely resembling an embryo.

Also roosters are essential for free ranging. They will defend their hens to death. For example my RIR roo will sound the alarm for a hawk and all the hens run for cover, and he stays out strutting his **** daring the hawk to attack. He also saved my black Australorp hen from a neighbor's dog. He was bloody from the fight with the dog, but the dog got spurred and hasn't come back.