To ROO or not To ROO? That is the Question

[mtnhomechick]

In my first wave of Pullets I got a BR Roo. He was friendly and gorgeous. But he woke me up everyday at 4:30 and continued crowing constantly throughout the day.

I gave him to a man down the road who lets him free range ( I have an enclosed run ). But, he is a loner. This man has many other roo's, hens and various animals and Rocky free ranges but will have nothing to do with the other roo's or hens.

I see him often from the road and he is just a beautiful boy and I know I could get him back if I wanted.

In the meantime my new neighbor has a roo that ......guess what.........wakes me up every morning anyway.

I am wondering now if I should have kept him. He came with 5 other assorted pullets and I am thinking he misses them. I wonder if he could handle being in a run after free ranging.

Any Opinions?

Thanx

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Well, I can tell you from what I have seen here. I have had hens/roos who were raised together and I put them in with the big hens together when they are larger. They hang out together and never leave each others sights! The first three hens I put in with the big girls STILL hang out together and go everywhere together (they are 18 weeks old now). When one gets separated from the others they CRY AND CRY until they find each other. It's so sweet...so yes, I believe he misses them

I think you should get him back

 

[chickenannie]

I'm guessing the other roos are keeping him away. They probably see him as a threat and have chased him away from "their" hens.

 

[hatchaholic]

Sounds like you miss him, too!

 

[mtnhomechick]

But can a Roo who has been a free man be in an enclosed run again? Plus now I have 40 more hens. Depending on the concensus here I could get him back easily.

 

[mtnhomechick]

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If I HAVE to wake up that early I might as well get my old alarm clock back.........why use the new neighbors. Plus I might get some chicks out of the deal.......but yes, I have missed Rocky.

 

[mtnhomechick]

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Yes, every batch I have gotten is clanish. Some look alike but I can always tell which they are by who their hanging out with.

 

[mtnhomechick]

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Forgive me for bumping but I wonder if he can withstand being in the run after several months of free ranging.

Anyone?

 

[silkiechicken]

He may or he may or he may not. I know my birds cannot stand to be cooped up. I've also heard of stores of birds making a rukus and pacing after getting freedom and being cooped. You can try though, since if it doesnt work out, he could always go back down the street.

 

[pkeeler]

Why not just give your neighbor one of the hens from the roo's brood?