When can a roo remain a roo...

[laura625]

and not become stew.
by what age should a rooster start behaving like a "good" rooster? The cockerell I have shows No signs of watching out for "his" Pullets in any way. He is not noticably more alert to danger, and he chases the Pullets away from food....
Maybe I should ask what to watch for, I am very new at this, I only have one rooster to compare with.
My young fellow is about 15/16 Weeks old now.
He is Ameraucana x australorp. I got him at 7Weeks, along with 3 BA Pullets. Recently introduced 4 slightly younger RIR plets, he reacts to them same as BAs do.
Hehasnt crowd yet. I am sure he's male, by comb, posture, size,plus the breeder told me hewas:rocketed:
I need to know if I have to cull him.

 

[bobbi-j]

He's young. I'd give him some time to mature. (Unless he becomes human-aggressive, then I'd get rid of him immediately) That being said, not *all* roosters behave nicely to the hens. If you have to cull him, there are lots of other roosters out there.

 

[laura625]

Thanks, glad to know I can give him more time. He's VEry prrtty, and I.ve grown attached to him. I have helped others, but have not yet culled one of my very own. Ican't afford
Too many roosters and I'd like to have one who at least helps protect the flock some.

 

[donrae]

I give them until 8-10 months or so.

 

[RaeRae2]

I have never owned a good rooster. Every single one I've ever owned has always ended up aggressive, nasty, and hateful to the hens. I don't believe there is any such thing as a good rooster. I am trying to give away a Dark Brahma right now because of the freaking crowing. He WILL.NOT.STOP. He will crow 150 times straight in a row without hardly taking a breath. It's all he does from sun up until sun down. I can't believe he still has any voice left. I live in the country and you can hear him 1/2 mile away. I have neighbors who are going to turn me in for the noise. So personally, I wouldn't give them any time at all. My experience has been the crowing, and the aggressive nasty behavior. Never had a good one. Sorry.

 

[bobbi-j]

I have never owned a good rooster. Every single one I've ever owned has always ended up aggressive, nasty, and hateful to the hens. I don't believe there is any such thing as a good rooster. I am trying to give away a Dark Brahma right now because of the freaking crowing. He WILL.NOT.STOP. He will crow 150 times straight in a row without hardly taking a breath. It's all he does from sun up until sun down. I can't believe he still has any voice left. I live in the country and you can hear him 1/2 mile away. I have neighbors who are going to turn me in for the noise. So personally, I wouldn't give them any time at all. My experience has been the crowing, and the aggressive nasty behavior. Never had a good one. Sorry.

I have an awesome Light Brahma rooster. He's not human-aggressive at all, and I love watching him interact with the hens. I've never seen another rooster pick up the kitchen scraps I bring down (treats to them) and give them to the hens. He does crow, but that's what roosters do. IMO, crowing does not make a "bad rooster". One that is human-aggressive or hard on the hens is. But then, I also live in the country - farmland country, not a development outside of a town - so noise isn't really an issue. Neighbors are a mile away, and town is 20 miles away.

 

[7L Farm]

Oh lordy! I hatched a pretty cockerel but he keeps attacking me. One more strike & he gets the axs. I hate to do it but its his call. You gotta do whats right for you & your flock.

 

[Wisher1000]

I have a GREAT Ameraucana roo! He fought a dog and nearly died. Once I nursed him back to health, he has taken his job very seriously. He is stern but fair with the hens, gets in the nests to coax a favorite hen in to play house, takes treats from me and drops them in front of the hens, and sounds the alarm if anything is suspicious. He sets the younger roos straight when they start trying to mount the hens and they give him a wide berth but he has never injured one of them. All the hens LOVE him and listen when he calls or alerts. He has never tried to flog anyone and has even run into the coop when a hen sounded like she needed rescuing, only to skid to a stop when he saw it was me trying to catch her and she just wasn't happy about it. I love him and wouldn't be without a roo in my flock. Give your young roo some time, and try giving the treats directly to him. He may eat a few then call the hens to him to share. It will help him take ownership of the hens and it will help him see you as the provider and not competition or a threat when he gets older. Good Luck!

 

[laura625]

Bummer, rea rea! As I said, Ive only really known the one, but he only croes occassionaly, isnt agressive at all, andcalls the hens over when he finds good
Treats.Heruns over to the coop when a chicken lays an egg, and sings along. thats not a necessary rooster skill, just endearing.
Since my chickkens free range, I'd really like a roo who is
somehow protective.
Thanks for the tip, wisher, I Will try it!
thanks for all the replies. Feel free to chime in anyone, this is interesting.

 

[darin367]

you might not really recognize a good rooster..... but you will spot a bad one........ if you get attacked, he's bad..... if he absolutely is brutal to the hens, he's bad,,, keep in mind that all rooster/hen mating is somewhat ruff... but if he's hurting the hens, tearing out feathers etc.. you'll know...... if you get a good one, keep him forever and try to keep his offspring... do not let a mean one have offspring, i did this 1 time and i'm still trying to kill that bad gene out of my flock.......