The Omega Rocks: The Last & Ultimate Barred Plymouth Rock Flock

[1muttsfan]

You want a tough one for a flock master when they free range

 

[speckledhen]

You want a tough one for a flock master when they free range

Duncan might fit the bill. I've never seen one change behavior back to normal after they start being jerks, at least not at his age, but I've know that many people just assume it's part of being a rooster. Naturally, I know it doesn't have to be, but if they don't mind dealing with it from time to time, Duncan might be just what they need. Mine are not 100% free range, but in a flock that does it from sunup to sundown, he could be the guy for them. He was really good when the entire group was going nuts over the deer family outside the pasture fence, faced the "threat" head on alongside The Bouncer.

With the girls now being led by only Nathaniel and Angus, I see that Angus is top dog and Nathaniel comes in second, much like my Gunnar does among the three bantam Cochin roosters I have left. Gunnar never wants to fight and is content just being one of them, seems to have no aspirations for a better position. I think the girls will be better off with just the two males anyway.
I've always wanted a rooster team. I always had it with my Delaware, Isaac, until he decided his sons were getting to be too much competition for the hens and he made sure they no longer were. I have had it with the bantam Cochins, but never with any large fowl rooster (other than Isaac on a limited basis.) I hope that Nathaniel and Angus will be my permanent guys and get along. I'd feel better if I had a spare and wouldn't have to immediately scramble to hatch eggs if my flock rooster died.

 

[speckledhen]

Today was weird. I did let them out about 4 p.m. Duncan stalked me. The others ran out into the grassy area, but not him. He kept his eyes on me and when I went out, he followed me around that A-frame structure we put in the pen as a hawk shield. I walked all the way around it and he followed me. Finally, I went to the barn with Duncan following and grabbed a pole so I could get back to the gate and leave them out for awhile. When I came back, he saw me coming to the gate and he was making his way toward me, picking stuff off the ground, coming to meet me all by himself. He's gone over the edge. I told Tom that I might just come back carrying Duncan upside down and hand him to him. Upon finding out that Duncan was targeting me, before I went to do the afternoon roundup, my husband said if he's doing you this way then,if you can get him, bring him up here and I'll kill him. I'm sure if I had him, I could do it myself, though.

A storm was rolling in, dark clouds and thunder, and I had a sleepless, painful night last night so I just said to heck with it and finally tricked Brother and Duncan to get them back in the barn. Duncan was last. Once Brother was back in the pen, I went out there and began saying the "magic words" we use as commands. He started to avoid me, but he finally went in the door and I shut it. the Bouncer met him there, Duncan scooted around him with The Bouncer turning in a circle as if to tell him to get on in there. Duncan is on borrowed time, though. I just wasn't up to it tonight, but if he had actually attacked me, I'd have been angry enough to grab his sorry @$$ and finish this. His carcass would then be tossed into the woods to at least do some other animal some good.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You definitely don't need to be watching your back constantly. Glad Tom is willing to do the deed. You should enjoy your poultry, not be terrorized by them. If you get hurt out there, than that's bad for both of you.

 

[speckledhen]

You definitely don't need to be watching your back constantly. Glad Tom is willing to do the deed. You should enjoy your poultry, not be terrorized by them. If you get hurt out there, than that's bad for both of you.

You're exactly right on all points, Lisa. I refuse to keep a rooster who does that to the ones who care for him. What a waste of such a handsome guy. He's going down, one way or another, that unappreciative jerkwad. That will be at least one problem off my hands.

 

[speckledhen]

I wanted to add that I'm not that attached to any of them except for Nathaniel. Angus is being pretty good at this point, no aggression, but if that changed, I'd not feel terrible about removing him. In fact, I have needed to remove Angus's leg band for about a week now. He's the only one still wearing one and it was on the verge of actually being snug, but my husband couldn't go to the barn today to hold him or cut off the band while I held him. So, I took a chance.
I was in their pen when Angus bent to eat something from the oyster shell tray. I already had the nippers we use to cut off bands. I was immediately behind him so I quickly reached down and picked him up. He cried out and struggled until he realized it was me. I told him I was just going to cut off his band before it got too right and he was okay. He completely calmed down when I stroked the front of his neck. I held him under my left arm and had to turn the zip band so that the little bump it slides through was in front and I just reached down to clip it off while he watched me. When I sat him back on the floor, he did do a little dance back toward me, but it wasn't aggressive so I let it go this time. I was pleased that he didn't give me any trouble. So far, so good with him. Nathaniel is always good so I have no concerns about him. He's quite a talker, the most vocal male in there. They are 21 weeks old tomorrow.