The Legbar Thread!

[babymakes6]

Quote: What she said!

My roosters are not quite as social as the hens, but so far I have never seen any aggressive behaviour from any of them. The hens are the friendliest chickens I have ever seen, and come running any time I am in view.

 

[ChicKat]

What she said!

My roosters are not quite as social as the hens, but so far I have never seen any aggressive behaviour from any of them. The hens are the friendliest chickens I have ever seen, and come running any time I am in view.

Sounds like a big happy family to me!!

I have had my roosters flare their hackles at the back of my leg -- as if-- but most of the time it has been after something traumatic has threatened their flock, and they have residual adrenalin (do chickens Have adrenalin?) One time a calf had gotten into the chicken netting fence (don't ask how)-- so a big 200-300 pound bovine in with the hens... during that week...I think he just felt threatened by anything BIG, and when the raccoons were about the roosters were edgy.... but they never really took the step.

The elder one who I don't have now was always like the police on duty and would eye me suspiciously... but would bend over backwards and pick up and drop any food that he thought the hens would like... He would very seldom take treats from my hand -- maybe a meal worm -- when the hens had plenty.

His son would wrestle with himself -- and finally eat from my hand -- but all the while still being "on duty". Roosters are wired in a different way than hens I think...their instincts are to always be ready to protect JMO.

 

[RyeRanch]

I would say my experience is very similar. The roosters are very chivalrous but can be a bit skittish. I had one that was a bit aggressive and would give chase to my 7 year old. The hens are pretty friendly and will eat from your and very readily.

 

[ChicKat]

I would say my experience is very similar. The roosters are very chivalrous but can be a bit skittish. I had one that was a bit aggressive and would give chase to my 7 year old. The hens are pretty friendly and will eat from your and very readily.

Except for chasing your child - that is bad behavior, a protective rooster is O.K. with me. At one time, I did worry that if one got 'mean' and became nasty, would I dispose of him....when the birds were so rare and expensive. -- Now with more birds to select from I think I would send a bad rooster packing off. Hope to never encounter one.

I

 

[Flaming Chicken]

I have had 2 aggressive cream legbar roosters that "went away". The other 4 have been very nice, on alert but also curious and easily handled. I have a hen that I adore, with the death of my senior rooster and the cockerels not quite mature, she has taken on the group protector role and will attack when I mess with the youngsters. She is also the one that greets me when I show up with food and tries to follow me out. Definitely the boss. I wonder what will happen when my cockerel decides it's time for business?

 

[ChicKat]

I have had 2 aggressive cream legbar roosters that "went away". The other 4 have been very nice, on alert but also curious and easily handled. I have a hen that I adore, with the death of my senior rooster and the cockerels not quite mature, she has taken on the group protector role and will attack when I mess with the youngsters. She is also the one that greets me when I show up with food and tries to follow me out. Definitely the boss. I wonder what will happen when my cockerel decides it's time for business?

A good but hard choice, to get rid of the rooster - Disposition is definitely something that we breed for in our cattle - and it has been successful - if they are too high strung, (high-headed some of the old time cattlemen call them) -- they are outta here. Makes our life easier and safer too.

I love the anecdotes about your hen....interesting that she can rise to the occasion. When the time comes let us know if she gracefully abdicates the lead role. ;O)

 

[australorp]

Just curious if anyone else has first generation imports and second. I just got 3 roosters from 1st imports. They are totaly blond. My 2nd gen roosters were sloppy chipmunk. I love the little blond ones lol

 

[GaryDean26]

I am not sure what you mean by blond. Are you referring to the recessive white chicks, blond cockerel chick down, blond colors on mature birds, other?

I have two (2) hens and Two (2) Roosters from the 2011 GFF flocks. The hens are both from their first flock, one rooster from the 2nd flock, and one rooster from the 3rd flock. I also have 6 cockerels and 14 pullets from 4 different pairings from F1 stock from the 2011 GFF flocks. None of them are what I would call blond, but the two hens do both have the correct cream genes, and the cockerel that I will be breeding this year also have the correct cream genes (more a white color than blond).

One of the cockerel chicks that I received from the 2011 GFF flock did have a very light yellow down (but NOT recessive white). I would call it blond. I don't have him anymore, but he developed the gold saddle feathers and dark chestnut shoulders typical of the birds that do not have the cream gene fixed in their genes.

 

[australorp]

ok I think that is it. the yellow down. I am taking a picture of them. none of my 2012 or second guys look like that

 

[ChicKat]

I would love to hear something about the Cream Legbar as far as personality and demeanor. I love the blue eggs, but are they generally docile, aggressive, friendly, like to be handled ?
Thanks.

Just may be of interest....a rooster recently left here for rehoming, --and I got a report from his new home. Besides raves about his great BEAUTY - they are THRILLED about how sweet he is. He shepherds their hens, cares for them, protects them -- Already has a favorite hen to pal around with -- and is exemplary in his behavior. He has kind of combined the flock in to one big happy family..... isn't that great?