Teaching a Rooster.

[cluckcluckluke]

We use a "cock box" for our three roos. We did it to try to keep the peace with some neighbors who were very rude about us getting roosters. They told us they expect to be able to sleep in on the weekends. So far it's working well. Some people think it's cruel; but our roos seem to be fine and we've had others, who also use them, say their roosters go into their boxes on their own. Today, I let them out at 8a.m. and all was well. I think my hens thoroughly enjoy their quiet morning together before I let the boys out. LOL. However, in the heat of the summer, we will probably bring them inside in the laundry room, as outside in a cock box, even with ventilation will get too warm I think. If you only have one, it could get too cold by itself in the winter, so you might have to do the inside thing then too... Since we have three, they do fine in the winter and we have enough hens that they don't need the roosters for heat.

Good Idea. Can you show me some pictures of you "cock box"? I will need some ideas. I only have one rooster but plan on getting a Maran rooster soon ( I hope ). My coop is really hot in the summer and I'm in Australia so even Winters are not to cold where I am. The only problem will be the hot night but luckily were going into winter here, so should be good.
How many hens do you have?

 

[cluckcluckluke]

My rooster is an Araucana, I adore him! He is a very good rooster! He is not quite a year old and is fairly gentlemanly. He gives the girls treats even though they all run from him and do not give him ANY attention. A 4 to 6 month old dog got into the fence and attacked the chickens...possibly more like playing but we all know how that turns out, the hens were all hiding and he was battling the dog and had submitted to the dog biting into his back when I caught up to them. He had some war wounds, but survived and is doing well. Was NOT a good day for the dog as he ended up at animal control and the neighbors had to go bail him out. He has become my favorite and will always have a home here as long as he keeps his manners.
Here is a pic...sorry I cant help myself


!

OH WOW, he is amazing. A proper American standard Araucana! Love him and he aint even mine.lol. Good on him for standing up for his girls they should be more respectful and give him something in return for that.lol.
Thanks for sharing, glad you did put a photo up!

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Mart, I'm with you i just think Wilf is a real late bloome, but it sounds like he's getting there.

gg did all your chickens grow up with each other? If so perhaps they are all siblings and tink it's wrong or the hens are just not used to a rooster, perhaps when one goes broody it will set them all off but all there hormones should have kicked in by now.

 

[gg706]

Yes they were all hatched at the same time and raised together. This is my first go round with chickens as an adult and my first flock with a rooster. We had hens when I was a kid but never any roosters. I do have one Araucana hen that is most likely a full blooded sister. Which I will not hatch any of her eggs. Then I have Wyandottes that are no relation what so ever. But they were raised together so I dont know....not sure about why the dynamics are as they are. I do have 6 chicks that I purchased this year in the brooder. Maybe when they are introduced the rooster will be older than they are and there will be some acceptance from them????
I agree he should be getting something! He almost gave his life for them......big snots!

 

[Jesusfreakmir12]

They always crow.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Most likely as your cockerels into roosters the pullets/hens will start accepting their mating advances. This is usually true for the lone rooster in the flock who in in the alpha position by default. If there is more than one male the hens may only accept attention from the highest ranking rooster.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

Yes they were all hatched at the same time and raised together. This is my first go round with chickens as an adult and my first flock with a rooster. We had hens when I was a kid but never any roosters. I do have one Araucana hen that is most likely a full blooded sister. Which I will not hatch any of her eggs. Then I have Wyandottes that are no relation what so ever. But they were raised together so I dont know....not sure about why the dynamics are as they are. I do have 6 chicks that I purchased this year in the brooder. Maybe when they are introduced the rooster will be older than they are and there will be some acceptance from them????
I agree he should be getting something! He almost gave his life for them......big snots!

Yeah i don't really know what to suggest, except for just waiting. But hopefully the girls will get into it.

 

[gg706]

I guess I will have to wait and see. He is the only rooster. I have no plans of keeping more than one, so if I brought in another roo he would have to go....and I dont want to do that. I know purposely breeding a mutt is taboo...but next year I would really like hatch out some Blue Laced Red Wyandotte/Araucana. Would be a spectacular looking chicken if it got alot of color from the BLRW hens and the rumplessness from the roo.

 

[cluckcluckluke]

I guess I will have to wait and see. He is the only rooster. I have no plans of keeping more than one, so if I brought in another roo he would have to go....and I dont want to do that. I know purposely breeding a mutt is taboo...but next year I would really like hatch out some Blue Laced Red Wyandotte/Araucana. Would be a spectacular looking chicken if it got alot of color from the BLRW hens and the rumplessness from the roo.

Wow that would be a sight to behold, I'm sure some one has already done it. Perhaps you could ask around or just leave it as a surprise!

 

[gg706]

I thought about asking around on the Araucana thread...but there are alot of breeders on there. I was concerned they would take offense to my idea and not be very happy about me creating a "mutt Araucana".