The rooster wars have started and now have ended

[bobbieschicks]

Twenty two weeks ago my broody hatched out the most adorable chicks - a Welsummer and an Ameraucana.

It was obvious from the start that the Wellie was a cockerel, but I held out hope for the AM since there were more pullet signs then cockerel.

He has since crowed and started mounting the pullets. The 42 week Silkie alpha cockerel still rules the roost, but the two newbies are trying to make a name for themselves. My Silkie roo has never gotten higher on the pullet pecking order then the middle girls. The older pullets all managed to rebuff him and keep their back feathers in prestine condition.

Now the two large cockerels are making their moves on the girls.

The Welsummer has aligned himself with the Silkie and manages to climb onto one of the unsuspecting Lavender Orpingtons before getting nipped at by the Silkie roo. But he has not be successful with the older girls - even though he has tried on a few occassions. The LO are starting to get rooster damage on their backs. This forms clan #1 - the Silkie roo, Welsummer roo and Orpington pullets - all hang together on the roost and run around the yard together.

The Ameraucana has cleverly gone for the two oldest girls - the highest ones in the pecking order and the younger EE/WL mix girl. He has been so successful in that regard that their back feathers are no longer prestine and are mostly missing on the oldest girls.

He sneak attacks the Lavender Orpingtons whenever he gets a chance - which is rare. But primarily clan #2 - White Leghorn, Ancona, EE/WL mix pullets with AM roo - hang together on the roost and run around the yard together.

So the rooster wars have begun - crowing from different sections of the coop - crowing from different areas of the yard - chasing each other from their respective clan hangouts. A whole lot of running and mating and crowing! I love the sound of a rooster, I just don't like the mess they make of my poor pullets' backs.

Tonight begins the solution to the rooster wars with the 1st of the roosters being processed. The 2nd will be tomorrow night and the 3rd will be on Friday night. At least that is my plan. I'm hoping by the weekend we will have no more crowing and no more rushing around.

A peaceful coop

... until the 9 week old silkies start to crow.

 

[Sylvestor12]

Wow, if I were you I'd kick the AM out, that would open more space for the other two boys and stop the sneak attacks. My previous AM rooster did that too, they're clever minxes! When you have a bunch of different chickens they band into groups on their own, even if not not for "hen status" pride. lol With my flock,


With our widowed guinea comes two Barred Rocks, the 6 year old grandma spunkier than the rest!

Then comes the afraid-of-male-guinea pullets that are at least 9 different breed bloods in their with 2 shadows. (because all 14 pullets only have 2 shadows,

) The overly protective and half-blind Polish Black Crested chick with his 1 female that he stands by all day guarding with a few cries for where she is.

A Black Star hen that attcks our Silkie rooster when he tries to mount her (even though she's also by him all the time

). Our 2 infinately broody hens Fuzzhead 1 and Zanell, aka Mrs. Clucky, the Angry Cloud. Our cowardly rooster that is chased by our 1 guinea male and is called Roo. He has a tiny group and occasinaly mounts my silkie roos hens, followed by an angry silkie in his face.

And for the grand finale, my bantam silkie roo that all of our heavies, standards, and even the pullets that he is converting to his hens.

And our little bantam crew that has a SCRRRRREEEEEAMING guardians that everyone leaves alone.

But the point, you shouldn't focus on the clans as much as on which roosters to deal with.

 

[bobbieschicks]

Wow, if I were you I'd kick the AM out, that would open more space for the other two boys and stop the sneak attacks. My previous AM rooster did that too, they're clever minxes! When you have a bunch of different chickens they band into groups on their own, even if not not for "hen status" pride. lol With my flock,


    With our widowed guinea comes two Barred Rocks, the 6 year old grandma spunkier than the rest!  Then comes the afraid-of-male-guinea pullets that are at least 9 different breed bloods in their with 2 shadows. (because all 14 pullets only have 2 shadows, ) The overly protective and half-blind Polish Black Crested chick with his 1 female that he stands by all day guarding with a few cries for where she is.  A Black Star hen that attcks our Silkie rooster when he tries to mount her (even though she's also by him all the time  ). Our 2 infinately broody hens Fuzzhead 1 and Zanell, aka Mrs. Clucky, the Angry Cloud. Our cowardly rooster that is chased by our 1 guinea male and is called Roo. He has a tiny group and occasinaly mounts my silkie roos hens, followed by an angry silkie in his face.  And for the grand finale, my bantam silkie roo that all of our heavies, standards, and even the pullets that he is converting to his hens.  And our little bantam crew that has a SCRRRRREEEEEAMING guardians that everyone leaves alone.

But the point, you shouldn't focus on the clans as much as on which roosters to deal with.

Yeah I'm thinking I will process the AM first. He's the one who is skittish and sneaky. He's so beautiful black with muffs and beard. But he's also the one I think who will cause the most trouble in the flock. The Wellie may work out fine with the Silkie roo, but I'm still thinking I want just layers for awhile.

 

[bobbieschicks]

The Players:
Mr. Ebony (AM), Willie (Wellie) and Davy (Partridge Silkie)

The rooster wars are done! The girls are excitedly regrowing feathers and happily running around outside with no fear of a sudden pounce attack.

I did not process anyone - instead this time I profited from selling them for a small fee. Davy was rehomed to a lovely family in need of a bantam roo for their silky flock. Mr. Ebony & Willie were rehomed to a wonderful family who needed LF roosters to protect their girls from predators as they free range.

There is peace on the homefront... until a few weeks from now when the little possible cockerels will be old enough to show their sex by crowing.

 

[Sylvestor12]

Great! A firendly tip is to watch how well the roosters treat their hens. My young rooster, Pat he inherited his father's beauty and got his mother's bravery. Watch for when they go up, if any go in before ALL of his hens are in, you don't want him! Look at his body posture, if he keeps his head down and doesn't watch his hens or you while around you'll probably not want him either. For small family farms, watch to see if he scratches feathers out when he mounts the hens. For young roosters who are inexpieriened, feathers will probably be ripped out but watch for improvement. For ones that have no change you'll probably want to get rid of 'em.

The main idea is to have a brave rooster willing to sacrafice himself for his hens while not paying a bit too much attention to them. (if you know what I mean)