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When will he "act" like a roo?

Discussion in 'Chicken Behaviors and Egglaying' started by greenacre, Nov 3, 2007.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Nov 3, 2007 #1
    greenacre

    greenacre Songster

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    South Eastern Michigan
    I have a 22 week old cochin bantam frizzle that has never even looked interested in his 5 ladies??? Is that normal? At what age will he "become of age" [​IMG] ? None of the girls are bantams and one of my australorps is the Alpha chick over everybody else, so could that be why he is not doing his "business"? Thanks!
     
  2. Nov 3, 2007 #2
    eggchel

    eggchel Crowing Premium Member

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    Both Coasts
    Sounds like a late bloomer. Is he crowing?
    Are you sure he is a he? LOL
    Seriously though, sometimes they can have one ovary and one testes and then they dont act like a hen or a roo. We had a black sex link that looked like a cross between a hen and a roo, tried to crow, never laid an egg and never mounted a hen. Just weird but it does happen.

    Give you guy some time. He may have to mature more before he will take on the alpha hen. My bantam cochins have not been slow to mature but my standard cochins sure were.

    Chel
     
  3. Nov 3, 2007 #3
    bluerose

    bluerose Songster

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    San Diego, CA
    I have a BO chicklet who's around 5 mo... one of 'his' buddies (two other BO hens and a RIR hen) just started laying...

    'He' has never crowed, 'looked' at the ladies, doesn't have spur bumps or different feathers that I can see, has never really been particularly roo-ish except occasionally when 'he' tries to be all threatening... but that could be lead hen behavior. 'He' does have bigger comb/wattles/earflaps than the girls and is a different body shape... although 'he's' smaller than them. (all same age)

    Jury is still out. I think we'll eventually figure it out when 'he' a) crows or b) lays!
     
  4. Nov 3, 2007 #4
    silkiechicken

    silkiechicken Staff PhD Premium Member

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    Everett WA/Corvallis OR
    He should pick up any time now, but sounds like a late bloomer to me. If he is a he, just give him time, as it may take up to a year for him to get his manilness and actually get his role down.
     
  5. Nov 3, 2007 #5
    greenacre

    greenacre Songster

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    Jun 30, 2007
    South Eastern Michigan
    Thanks everybody!! We actually found out he was a real "he" about 6 weeks ago when he started crowing a little in the morning. He only does it once or twice a day but it does seem to be getting a little less rusty than before...

    I can't wait to see if he ever gets to be nice to all the girls. He is really skiddish and pecks at every body else who might have a treat in their mouth. He does try to make his way up the pecking order (going beak to beak) but 9 out of 10 times, he loses.

    I actually posted him in the buy/sell section for free but nobody was interested. We aren't allowed to have roos, but since he is kind of lame with the crowing, the neighbors haven't freaked out yet. Once again, thank you for insight - this forum is the best!
     

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