To broody or not to broody (should I let my hen hatch eggs next year?)

[BigBlueHen53]

one willing to take Roos so long as they aren’t aggressive

So do they want you to keep the cockerels until they are six to eight months old, to determine whether they are aggressive or not, before they will accept them? Are you willing to do that? And if they do turn out aggressive, what will you do with them? It's impossible to tell as chicks whether cockerels will turn out aggressive or not.

 

[Cheekychook11]

So do they want you to keep the cockerels until they are six to eight months old, to determine whether they are aggressive or not, before they will accept them? Are you willing to do that? And if they do turn out aggressive, what will you do with them? It's impossible to tell as chicks whether cockerels will turn out aggressive or not.

Yeah probably, or they’ll take them earlier and pass them on if they become aggressive
What do you all do with aggressive birds? I think there’s only one option really if they can’t be taught otherwise, no one wants an aggressive bird understandably

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yeah probably, or they’ll take them earlier and pass them on if they become aggressive
What do you all do with aggressive birds? I think there’s only one option really if they can’t be taught otherwise, no one wants an aggressive bird understandably

The first truly aggressive rooster we had became food for the hawks and coyotes. Others have gone into the freezer and become stew or broth depending how young/ tender they were.

 

[Cheekychook11]

The first truly aggressive rooster we had became food for the hawks and coyotes. Others have gone into the freezer and become stew or broth depending how young/ tender they were.

When will they start to show aggressive behaviour? They are all gentle lap chickens at the moment
I wouldn’t be able to do it myself, but Pekin bantams are apparently a delicacy so I’d sell him to any willing buyers

 

[BigBlueHen53]

When will they start to show aggressive behaviour? They are all gentle lap chickens at the moment
I wouldn’t be able to do it myself, but Pekin bantams are apparently a delicacy so I’d sell him to any willing buyers

It can vary. Some can start very early, just a few weeks. Others can be sweethearts till the male hormones kick in around 16 to 20 weeks. Others just never do. My understanding is one's best bet is to not handle them, let the flock raise them, preferably an older flock with experienced older biddies that won't put up with any nonsense. They'll teach the young boys flock manners and respect and hopefully that extends toward humans as well. No guarantee, but it can help.

 

[Cheekychook11]

It can vary. Some can start very early, just a few weeks. Others can be sweethearts till the male hormones kick in around 16 to 20 weeks. Others just never do. My understanding is one's best bet is to not handle them, let the flock raise them, preferably an older flock with experienced older biddies that won't put up with any nonsense. They'll teach the young boys flock manners and respect and hopefully that extends toward humans as well. No guarantee, but it can help.

My whole flock is quite new, I plan on putting the Roos with my older hens when they hit puberty, so they don’t terrorise the pullets
The adult hens aren’t exactly old biddies yet but they are sassy and won’t put up with them

 

[Cheekychook11]

Are there any signs that younger Roos will grow up to be good boys?

 

[SkyAJK]

I had 2 roos,they both were sweet, tame and run to me when I called their names. They sat on my laps let me patted their feather, put my hand under their wings. I raised them and spend a lot of time with them.

The older roo did attack us here and there, but not often, so it is to show they are not like dog and cat.

With my flock I found that roosters are friendlier when they are little, they show more personality than the hens. Hens are more friendly once they start laying eggs. My roosters remain sweet, but 1 attack us here and there. Not often.

It is hard to rehome roosters and you just don't know what kind of life they have once you send them off. I rehomed my young rooster to an animal rescue farm for a month, I took him back as my mom was very upset. When I got him back I found that he was very sick and they did not look after him. I no longer rehome animals in my care, I euthanize them if I can not care for them anymore.
This way they go peacefully, quickly and painlessly. I don't want them to suffer a slow painful dead like my young rooster would be if I did not take him back.

I hatched him with my broody hen from 2 eggs and 1 egg was him the rooster. So hatching at home is something to think about what to do with the rooster.

Now, I got my chicks from a breeder, she takes back rooster as surrender then she freeze them and sell them as food to for people with reptile and rat pets. Lucky for me, 2 chicks I got from her are hens.

 

[Cheekychook11]

I had 2 roos,they both were sweet, tame and run to me when I called their name. I raised them and spend a lot of time with them.
The older roo did attack us here and there, but not often, so it is to show they are not like dog and cat.
The older roo attacked me whenever I try to take a picture of him or talk on the phone. He hates phone period!!!

With my flock I found that roosters are friendlier when they are little, they show more personality than the hens. Hens are more friendly once they start laying eggs. My roosters were sweet and they sat on my laps let me patted their feather, put my hand under their wings..they don't mind.

It is hard to rehome roosters and you just don't know what kind of life they have once you send them off. I rehomed my young rooster to an animal rescue farm for a month, I had to take him back as my mom was very upset. When I got him back I found that he was very sick and they did not look after him. I no longer rehome animals in my care, I euthanasia them if I can not care for them anymore.

Wow if my pullets get any more friendly they will not leave my side
My little Roos are also very nice so far anyway
Thankfully the person wanting extra Roos is a friend and can be trusted

 

[ChookaPete]

Let her hatch eggs.