The Welsummer Thread!!!!

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Mine first started laying at exactly 24 weeks. The 2nd about 5 days later.

 

[Qi Chicken]

I think I've made a mistake with my beautiful 8 week old Wellie roo. I was told to treat the roosters differently, don't cuddle, don't give them treats first, make them wait for last and if they peck tap them on the head.

Well, predictably I think, my wellie roo is scared of me, kind of aggressive and I can't even catch him. I suppose he thinks I'll tap him on the head.

Another EE that I didn't know was a roo will sit in my lap forever. I know that 8 week old behavior is not an indicator of adult behavior but I feel I've gone against my instincts and messed this little guy up. I have 2 small kids and we can't have aggression here.

My question is HOW or SHOULD I fix this. I thought I would ask here as each breed has a little different temperment. He is from Estes. I don't have a pic but he is mighty handsome. I heard him crow for the first time tonight. He must have been practicing though because he sounded great.

Thanks for the input.

Anne

ETA, I think on this thread most people said to cuddle and I didn't do it. Sorry

hope my little roo doesn't have to pay for it!

 

[McSpin]

Anne, I doubt very much that you had any real effect on it's tendency for aggression. I have have many roosters and I don't give any of them much attention. Even so, some have been very friendly and some all always kept their distance. The only aggressive one I've had was a friendly one when young. The ones that keep their distance are afraid, not aggressive. I believe aggression is a part of their genetic makeup or not. If it turns aggressive, you may be able to control it with some behavior modification techniques, though I've never tried any. I would just invite it to dinner.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Anne, keeping his distance doesn't mean he'll be aggressive. I think it's in a roosters nature to be more distant and cautious. After all, it's their job to protect the flock from danger.

I held my rooster occasionally, but when he grew up I wanted to make sure he knew that I am top rooster, not him. So, I walk through him and make him yield to me, I don't let him mate in front of me (he's been knocked off a hen twice - not something he likes

), if I think he's getting a bit of attitude I'll walk around following him and he thinks I'm chasing him. So he's definitely not a cuddle rooster, which is fine with me. He's a good boy to my hens, a great protector and I can go in the run and turn my back and not worry about getting jumped. He will come running up for treats just like the rest and will eat out of my hand, so he's not afraid of me, just cautious.

My younger roo hates being held, but once I have him, he settles down. (as does my older one) He's tried to wing dance at me once, and he met my boot personally but gently. Just enough to correct his attitude. He's going to be a bit more strong willed, but so far he's being a good boy. He's not mating yet, so we'll see. I do the same technique with him that I did with my older rooster of making him yield to me.

 

[pinkchick]

Anne~

I handle every one of my birds....extensively.... especially my younger males and older roos. I don't have one rooster or younger male that a person cannot just walk up to and pick up with out any aggression from them. I had one semi aggressive rooster....he was served up with a side of my favorite dipping sauce. I do the most handling during their freaked out teen stage.

I have one spoiled rotten roo that will sleep in my lap. He doesn't care. If he is injured, you can pick him up, lie him down on one side. put gentle downward pressure on the wing that is up with your hand for a few seconds, release the hand and walk away to get supplies and all the while Bill won't move a muscle, not even with my noisy yellow lab sniffing every inch of him as he lies there. He will stay there until I pick him up and put him on back on the ground or where ever he needs to be...but then again I also must run and hide from him because he can be too co-dependent....he thinks its ok for him to be on the front porch but my DH does not see eye to eye on this will Bill due to Bill's careless attitude about the "No chicken poop on the front porch rule" that DH placed the moment I brought my first chicks home.

 

[Mountain Sunshine]

Here is our Wellsummer Roo and in the second picture the Roo and one of the Wellsummer girls.

 

[flower]

Mountain Sunshine, I like you Wellies and the rest of the flock. Does everyone get along fine or do you see any squabbling ?

 

[Mountain Sunshine]

Quote:
Everyone gets along great. We even have a Lt Brahma Roo who is king of the flock. Both roosters have been together since they were a day old and they have had one fight and the Welly said, "Well ok then...your the boss!" Since then all has been good in the mixed flock.

I have one Wellsummer Hen that lives in another house on her own because she has a bad leg and doesn't get around too good. We rescued her. She seems very happy though and lays every day.

 

[outback hatcher]

my newest babies a couple of days old about 5 weeks old now

my 7 month old

 

[flower]

Outback hatcher, cute babies (of course) Did your seven month olds start laying eggs ?