Trying the Roo thing...

andreanar

Crowing
5 Years
May 16, 2014
2,832
4,929
437
Finger Lakes, NY
We swore we would never keep roo's again after bad experiences. Buuutttt...my hen hatched 3 chicks and 1 is a boy. He is exactly 6 months old today. So far so good. He's not crowing yet, nor mounting the girls. He stays away from us, showing no interest even if we pick up a hen and she squawks like crazy. Im wondering if the fact that he is growing up with older hens that don't take his crap, is making a difference in his behavior? The older girls let him know that he's lower in pecking order. For the longest time, I thought he was an ugly cockerel. Not as beautifully colored as most roo's. But today, I realized he's actually quite pretty. His father is a phoenix, no idea on a mama. His tail is amazing! Long and flowing, and he's got a gorgeous "mane" around his neck that Id love to run my fingers thru. Anyhow, here are some photos of him.
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We swore we would never keep roo's again after bad experiences. Buuutttt...my hen hatched 3 chicks and 1 is a boy. He is exactly 6 months old today. So far so good. He's not crowing yet, nor mounting the girls. He stays away from us, showing no interest even if we pick up a hen and she squawks like crazy. Im wondering if the fact that he is growing up with older hens that don't take his crap, is making a difference in his behavior? The older girls let him know that he's lower in pecking order. For the longest time, I thought he was an ugly cockerel. Not as beautifully colored as most roo's. But today, I realized he's actually quite pretty. His father is a phoenix, no idea on a mama. His tail is amazing! Long and flowing, and he's got a gorgeous "mane" around his neck that Id love to run my fingers thru. Anyhow, here are some photos of him.
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Very handsome boy! I've found that flock raised roosters generally (there are exceptions) behave better towards humans and other birds. I did have 6 cockerels that were Black Cochin from dad and Dom and Dom crosses for moms, and raised by a broody. EVERY SINGLE one of them were horrible birds. Their sisters aren't so bad and I still have them. But they are the exception rather than the rule.
 
I certainly hope he turns out to be a good Roo for you. I can relate! The first Roo I rehomed went to a gal with 5 older hens. They didn’t take one second of crap from him. She loves him. He turned out to be a beautiful Jersey Giant. And a great Rooster. Your boy is going to be beautiful. Hope your girls keep him in check. Best wishes
 
Oh girl he's lovely! You've been hiding a guy for six months lol! I'm glad you're giving him a shot, he looks pretty dang harmless.:)
We swore we would never keep roo's again after bad experiences. Buuutttt...my hen hatched 3 chicks and 1 is a boy. He is exactly 6 months old today. So far so good. He's not crowing yet, nor mounting the girls. He stays away from us, showing no interest even if we pick up a hen and she squawks like crazy. Im wondering if the fact that he is growing up with older hens that don't take his crap, is making a difference in his behavior? The older girls let him know that he's lower in pecking order. For the longest time, I thought he was an ugly cockerel. Not as beautifully colored as most roo's. But today, I realized he's actually quite pretty. His father is a phoenix, no idea on a mama. His tail is amazing! Long and flowing, and he's got a gorgeous "mane" around his neck that Id love to run my fingers thru. Anyhow, here are some photos of him.
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He is a very handsome boy!
I think him being raised by chickens and having the older hens keep him in his place will greatly improve his odds of becoming an excellent rooster. Keep him around and watch him mature.
Even if he one day decides to challenge you, that isn't necessarily a deal breaker. One good tune up is sometimes all it takes to get them thinking with their heads again about going after humans. Time will tell.
 
Oh girl he's lovely! You've been hiding a guy for six months lol! I'm glad you're giving him a shot, he looks pretty dang harmless.:)
I haven't really been "hiding" him, haha, I just considered him a non issue since I'd be doing away with him. We'd just been ignoring him since we didn't really have time to either find him a home or cull him. And since he was still young and causing no problems we never even talked about him...like he didn't exist :idunno
Im down to 9 hens and that 1 cockerel, which means I can get more chickens this spring. Yay
 

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