Tell me about roosters

[calicokat]

Of course it was bound to happen. I didn't want any roosters, but we ordered Bantum chicks this spring - and now have a sweet EE roo and a not as sweet cochin roo. We think that the cochin injured the EE's leg. EE has been confined to his own brooder for a couple of weeks now, but is still limping.

DD got these show quality chicks for 4H and that's still 3 months off, my questions are,
~do you think these two might get along once they are part of the flock, and not in a smallish brooder together? There are 8 standard hens and 3 bantys - for a total flock of 13 right now.
~when might they start crowing? We think the cochin was when he was in the house, but haven't heard him since they went to live in the coop.
~when might these two guys start fooling around with the hens? And will they try to fool around with my standard size girls in addition to the bantys?
~what do I need to watch out for, that I haven't realized yet?

Thanks, kat

 

[Makenziejh]

1. For the most part my roos get along fine. They will usually fight a little, then go on withtheir happy little lives. Its no big deal, they will establish their pecking order and be fine.

2. not sure exactly

3. As soon as they possibly can. Mine started right after they started crowing. They will want to mate with all the hens

4. they will attack you when you arnt looking. It hurts sometimes, but Its not too much of a big deal. kick them back a little and they should be fine. I have to get rid of my big roo because he is WAY to aggressive. He had me pinned up against a fence the other day attacking my foot.

Anyway, GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[darkstarr nite]

wow ... roos....

they are very funny...
they protect their hens..

I have had a few that are really aggressive ... so they got caged...

but for the most part I have had really nice roos..

I had a RIR Roo that was great he followed me around like a dog ... I could always pick him up.. he was great

most of the times roos get along, they fight some.. one male has to be the lead honcho..

 

[FrizzlesRule]

Some times roos can be a pain in the butt, but most of the time they are warm, cuddly lovable and beautiful. I hug and kiss my bantam roos everyday. They may crow alot and never leave the hens alone, but are very tame and easy to pick up and are lap chickies.

And of course are needed if you have a broody hen and want to hatch chicks.

 

[calicokat]

Thanks. I'm feeling a little less anxiety about being a Roo mom now. I'll make sure the kids handle that cochin a lot to help tame him and make him be as friendly as we can.

 

[sourland]

Sorry, but in my experience if they are fighting at this point in the game, they will probably never get along. Even with enough space, the cochin wil make life miserable for the EE. Be especially careful when you reintroduce the EE. the cochin will most likely go right after him. Excessive socialization of an agressive rooster can sometimes make human agressiveness worse. Familiarity can spawn contempt in their little dinosaur minds. Good luck. Yes, the bantams will attempt to mate your standard hens but will cause no harm. Standard roosters on the other hand can physically damage or even kill bantam hens.

 

[Keri78]

I have two batam cochin roos and they will fight to the death if I allowed it. I have let them free range together a couple times and both times they nearly killed each other ...even when one would finally submit and run away...they other would continue to chase and attempt to kill him. I mean horrible! The only solution that I've found for my bantam boys is for each one to have his own pen with his own girls. They do "attempt" to mate with the standard size girls when give the opportunity ...but it's more like they are going for a "piggy back ride" around my backyard...not even Close to the mark...if you catch my drift!!! Funny though to watch! Now my standard cochin roo is a doll baby and VERY passive! I would say that if you want to keep them to show them the you will need to set up bachelor quarters for each of them. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate...just a nice safe space. Maybe even enough room to add a hen or two for company. Keep it simple and it can work. Blessings, Keri

 

[MamaJohnson]

I used to have a big ole' Buff Orpington roo named Max that ruled the coop, the yard, the neighborhood - he was a monster. Big, lush orange, muscular, boy he was a looker, and he knew it! He would shake his big orange head and fluff out all those neck feathers - glorious, and the hens loved him. Then I recieved a 3 wk. old Phoenix roo from a friend that we named Chippy. Chippy also grew into a beautiful bird, with long green tail feathers, and a bright orange neck. Max readily accepted Chippy, and they lived in relative peace until this spring, when all of a sudden Chippy decided he'd had enough of Max's dominance, and proceeded to chase him out. Despite the fact that Chippy was half the size of Max, every day, all day, he attacked Max, sending him running for cover under coop, bush, lawnmower - wherever he could squeeze. I watched this drama for the first couple of days to see what would happen (the sight of that little rooster chasing that big tough guy under the coop was like watching Dave and Goliath, with Goliath running, tail feathers a-flying). And the interesting thing was, despite his muscle, Max didn't fight back. They must have reached some kind of understanding that Chippy was the new king, and Max was to step aside, and quick! After 4 days of this Max was getting seriously wounded, and it was pathetic, so we sent him to freezer heaven. And you should see Chippy strut now. Talk about a cocky roo! Hmm. Have to admit though, Chippy has never attacked me or my kids, or given me any struggle when I'm working with the hens (unlike Max who had a big red plastic bat with his name on it!), so we kinda don't mind the switch. Still, poor Max. Wonder if he ever saw it coming when he was showing Chippy where to find the best bugs...