What should I know going forward with a cockerel?

[topochico225]

Hey y’all!

My little d’Uccle cockerel Tuffet crowed for the first time today So adorable. No louder than an egg song. I’ve also been getting fertile eggs since at least Saturday.

I know I need to make sure to get eggs daily so I don’t get oopsie babies, but is there anything else I should keep in mind now that I have an active cockerel?

Thanks I’ve never had any boys before!

 

[AmeraucanaHank]

Make sure you refrigerate your eggs.

 

[nuthatched]

Just don't let the eggs incubate. always watch for if he's not being a gentlemen.

 

[3KillerBs]

One pointer I was given in re: the management of cockerels was to maintain their respect by always walking through them -- moving purposefully from one place to another that "just happens" to require stepping through the space where the cockerel is now and requiring him to move out of your way.

Not aggressively pursuing him, but doing something -- carrying a bucket to the other side of the run, rearranging a bit of clutter, fussing at the fence, etc. -- that causes you to walk where he is and expect him to get out of your way.

I don't do this every time I'm in the coop or run, just a couple times a week. I actually rarely have to purposefully seek out the opportunity because it happens naturally as I go about my chores. The other day I even knocked Ramses off a hen he was mating -- not seeking it out, but because he'd decided to mate her practically under my feet between me and the door.

In that case I just walked to the door, using my boot to gently push him and the hen out of the way -- talking to them about getting a room and not getting stepped on.

I can't say that I'm any kind of expert, but I've been given advice by experts which seems to be working so far.

 

[Mrs. K]

Always have a plan B, set up and ready to go.

 

[aart]

Make sure you refrigerate your eggs.

You don't need to refrigerate fertile eggs....unless your house is 100°F.