To get a Rooster or not get a Rooster?

[redstars]

OK I'm gonna do it.
Now what to get? This may be the hard part.
Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[seminolewind]

Redstars, I love your avatar! She's so cute!

Good luck with rooster hunting-just pick the prettiest one!

 

[greathorse]

The only downside to having a rooster as I see it is if you get so attached that if he turns out to be a Jack-A$$ you need to prepared to do something about it. I keep my hatchet sharp so I have no issues if one gets unruly. Others get so attached and it becomes like getting rid of a family member.

Watching the flock dynamic with a rooster is more interesting than without. If broodies set you will now need to decide if you want to hatch and next thing you know you have more birds than you know what to do with.

The other downside is that a rooster can shred your hens and take all their back feathers off you gotta be ready to deal with that as well.

 

[redstars]

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Thanks seminolewind, I am looking at a lot of pics and I think it's gonna be a hard choice.
I met a guy in upstate new york last spring that had game birds they were beautiful and he told me if I wanted a roo he would give
me one but at that time I wasn't sure. I might do that they were really nice looking.

 

[SandyC]

I've had 3 roos...two Appenzellar Spitzhaubens and one Barred Rock. The Rock was mean and I had to get
rid of him as he kept attacking me, which was sad as I hatched and raised him myself. The Spitzhaubens
were a couple of babies and the nicest birds. I often would have one or the other hop up on my shoulder.
I picked them up often and they have NEVER given me trouble. I gave one away last fall though as I didn't have enough
hens to support 2 roos and their poor backs were suffering. It's much better now with the one. Everyone is
happy and all feathered out again!

 

[jaboo81]

I think you will enjoy getting a roo they r a blast to watch.

 

[Mahonri]

Quote:
There are some beautiful game roos out there. I love the China Games.

 

[gritsar]

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In my limited experience that's the key right there. I don't handle Thor any more than necessary for routine care. He's always been a tad bit afraid of me, simply because I don't handle him or allow him in my space. He's a great roo with no aggression. His "brother" that I handled alot was quite a bit more aggressive.

Sometimes it's still a toss up. My first set of chicks got handled a moderate amount, but as they grew up I let them keep to themselves. One roo turned out unreasonably mean by the time they were 16ish weeks I knew he was a goner. His "twin" brother is still protecting my flock today!!
My current youngsters are hitting about that age. I haven't handled them much at all. They come up to me for treats though. One black sexlink is a peacemaker and kind, his "twin" brother is mean and comes at me! Raised the same way, and similar genetics, but it's a toss up.

PERHAPS in my limited experience, the dominant roo doesn't feel the need to challenge me, but the 2nd in command roo thinks he can get ahead so he takes it up trying to get ahead of me? I know typically the dominant hen is less mean than the ones in the middle-ranks because she doesn't have to constantly prove herself. These two particular BSL cockerels are pretty closely matched, the mean one puffs up and tries to challenge the nice one VERY OFTEN, but they don't actually get into knock-down-drag-outs.

I agree that it's a toss up, but here's some food for thought...
You have a young cockerel that doesn't have an ounce of aggressiveness in his blood. What happens if you baby and handle him alot? Nothing, except that you have a really nice sweet roo that likes to be babied.
But what happens if you have a cockerel that's prone by genetics or bad blood or whatever to be mean and you handle him alot? You've removed his fear of you. One less obstacle for him should he decide to become aggressive.
After seeing what I saw with my two roos, I will never baby a rooster. I love on my hens tons and leave him to do his job.
Just saying.

 

[greathorse]

I see no reason to ever put your hands on a rooster beyond need for transport or treatment to handle those guys. I make a point of walking directly at my fellows at least a few times a week especially if he is between me and some females. I do not find a need to be aggressive with it but clearly walk right at him and force him out of my way as opposed to the other way around. If they dont move promptly I pick up the pace and force them to skedaddle in my presence, the best teacher is watching the head roo control the understudies. Roosters understand this language.

I have only had one really bad rooster that I got rid of, but I didnt raise him and he came to me with an attitude. I gave him to chances to get over his aggression he failed both tests, hence the sharp hatchet.

Make sure they know their standing in the pecking order and chances are that sharp hatchet can stay on the wall forever. Make a pet of a rooster and many times you have trouble, not always, so no need to get your pet rooster stories out, but far to often that babied fella just doesnt get the right message.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:

In addition, their adult personality is hard to predict. They are all cute and sweet as chicks. You could baby them and have no problems or you could baby them and have a mean roo on your hands when he grows up. Best to keep that little trace of fear of you running through his itty bitty brain right from the start.
I don't intend to replace my Thor anytime soon. When I do, I will feed and water and care for the little cockerel, but he won't be handled any more than necessary.