mccmeadows
Songster
unfortunately I am in Canada, so not an American hatchery. he had 11 brothers (three were his identical twins) and we weren’t going to keep any of them, but the morning we were loading them all to send to the abattoir I just couldn’t stand to crate him. I’m so glad I did as he was a delight to watch grow into a fine gentleman who really did take the most excellent care of his hens.Oh, he was drop dead gorgeous! I am so sorry!!! How sad to lose such a wonderful rooster. Sounds like he was just the type I am hoping for. Where did you get him?
we have now raised 4 roosters - one became aggressive towards us at around 10 months old. he then turned into a monster towards his hens and now he’s been processed. that was Buckbeak the Lavender Orpington. next was Rufio the BCM cross who was very friendly until one day he wasn’t. he became people aggressive and after the situation with Buckbeak, we weren’t going to risk him hurting any hens (he was living in a “bachelor pad” situation). then there’s Pete an Ameraucana x Svarthona who is still alive but not for much longer. he is ok with the ladies, a little more “overactive” than I would like and has taken off a couple feathers, but isn’t really mean towards them. and he is fine towards us, not friendly like Mike, just not interested, but not mean. he doesn’t fit into any of our future breeding plans though and I don’t love his energy enough to keep him in the hen house, so he will be getting processed soon. therefore I am 1.5/4 (calling Pete a half win here, but he’s no Mike) for raising good roosters and they were all raised the same way so I don’t think there is a magic equation for how to ensure you get a good rooster. I think it’s just luck of the draw unfortunately!