Exopoulterer
In the Brooder
- Jun 3, 2025
- 8
- 39
- 41
This is Cleatus. I bought him at a feed store for $9.95 labeled as a "Rooster". What do y'all think he is mixed with?
How do I care for his feet? I thought the feathers were so cute before but now I feel that they require more care than if they were normal feet. He holds one up sometimes and has small darkened areas in the middle pads that don't look like bumble foot yet but I am afraid of it happening if I am not on top of it.
At first sight I found his appearance to be magnificent. A naked neck, a mullet, and feathered feet. I thought he was a big guy until I saw some laying hens for sale and some of these big red hens might be a bit bigger than Cleatus.
He is quite good tempered so far. I can handle him easily and he tolerates it.
Cleatus gets a bit scared and hates when I wash his feet in a tub with a few inches of water. He immediately preens them when they are still damp. Lol The feet were getting pretty gross when he was in a big dog crate during the day for a month before I let him out with the young pullets. I would check his feet and wash if needed when I let him loose in the run every night after getting the pullets cooped.
Even when he is out in the run with the pullets that are smaller than him, he is pretty good. Tidbits, makes warning noises, and has only gone to try and mate a few times. He will come and see what is going on when I handle the pullets and they are vocal about it. The girls mostly keep a couple feet of a distance but don't hide or seem terrorized.
I really love this guy!
How do I care for his feet? I thought the feathers were so cute before but now I feel that they require more care than if they were normal feet. He holds one up sometimes and has small darkened areas in the middle pads that don't look like bumble foot yet but I am afraid of it happening if I am not on top of it.
At first sight I found his appearance to be magnificent. A naked neck, a mullet, and feathered feet. I thought he was a big guy until I saw some laying hens for sale and some of these big red hens might be a bit bigger than Cleatus.
He is quite good tempered so far. I can handle him easily and he tolerates it.
Cleatus gets a bit scared and hates when I wash his feet in a tub with a few inches of water. He immediately preens them when they are still damp. Lol The feet were getting pretty gross when he was in a big dog crate during the day for a month before I let him out with the young pullets. I would check his feet and wash if needed when I let him loose in the run every night after getting the pullets cooped.
Even when he is out in the run with the pullets that are smaller than him, he is pretty good. Tidbits, makes warning noises, and has only gone to try and mate a few times. He will come and see what is going on when I handle the pullets and they are vocal about it. The girls mostly keep a couple feet of a distance but don't hide or seem terrorized.
I really love this guy!
