When will my rooster turn mean?

[stargirl]

Eagle is a mostly-maran cockerel who was a solo rescue chick that I hand raised from a day old.

He’s now 4 months old and has joined the village flock - around 20 hens, a few ducks and a single teeny fully grown bantam rooster, Tarzan (who was hand-raised too, and is a very calm and friendly boy).

He’s fully crowing, but no other rooster behaviours yet. Right now he’s still adorable - he comes RUNNING at the sound of my voice, hops up to sit on my knee and loves a cuddle and stroke. We’re such good pals.

Despite being the biggest of the lot he is bossed about quite a bit by the older hens and tiny Tarzan, and he just submits and runs off, so everything has been very calm and harmonious.

But I know it probably won’t stay this way

I’m trying to spend time with him daily, holding him, hand-feeding him and petting him, whilst also feeding the hens.

I really, really, REALLY want this to work out. There are enough hens to go around for two boys, he’s hand raised and apparently Maran’s tend to make friendly and docile roo’s.

Does anyone have any advice for the coming months? Are there any early signs I need to be looking out for that things are turning aggressive? I’m happy to grab him and assert my authority if needed, but is there groundwork I can start laying now before the hormones start surging?

Here’s my gorgeous boy today. Obviously, his days of getting this close to my face like this are numbered!

 

[neo71665]

Keep being hands on with him and he likely won't ever be mean. Him being in a flock of older hens they will also help keep him in check.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

What makes you think hes mostly maran? He doesnt look like a maran mix at all

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

He looks mostly (if not completely) EE.

 

[stargirl]

What makes you think hes mostly maran? He doesnt look like a maran mix at all

It’s what I was told by the guy who hatched him! I think he looks a lot like the “cuckoo maran” type? I’m definitely no expert though!

Eg this Wikipedia image

He has greenish tail feathers though and some fluffy cheek muffs going on, so he’s clearly not just maran, if he is that at all!

 

[Bonkerelli]

Eagle is a mostly-maran cockerel who was a solo rescue chick that I hand raised from a day old.

He’s now 4 months old and has joined the village flock - around 20 hens, a few ducks and a single teeny fully grown bantam rooster, Tarzan (who was hand-raised too, and is a very calm and friendly boy).

He’s fully crowing, but no other rooster behaviours yet. Right now he’s still adorable - he comes RUNNING at the sound of my voice, hops up to sit on my knee and loves a cuddle and stroke. We’re such good pals.

Despite being the biggest of the lot he is bossed about quite a bit by the older hens and tiny Tarzan, and he just submits and runs off, so everything has been very calm and harmonious.

But I know it probably won’t stay this way

I’m trying to spend time with him daily, holding him, hand-feeding him and petting him, whilst also feeding the hens.

I really, really, REALLY want this to work out. There are enough hens to go around for two boys, he’s hand raised and apparently Maran’s tend to make friendly and docile roo’s.

Does anyone have any advice for the coming months? Are there any early signs I need to be looking out for that things are turning aggressive? I’m happy to grab him and assert my authority if needed, but is there groundwork I can start laying now before the hormones start surging?

Here’s my gorgeous boy today. Obviously, his days of getting this close to my face like this are numbered!

View attachment 2974307

It is possible he won't turn mean. I'm in a similar situation. I have a tiny Serama (Tobias) and a half Cuckoo Maran/English Orington (Trixster). Both get along great and both are fully mature. Tobias is king of the coop. I raised Trixster from an egg and he's never been aggressive. Think if you spend time with him all should be well.

 

[Bonkerelli]

It’s what I was told by the guy who hatched him! I think he looks a lot like the “cuckoo maran” type? I’m definitely no expert though!

Eg this Wikipedia image

He has greenish tail feathers though and some fluffy cheek muffs going on, so he’s clearly not just maran, if he is that at all!

This is my rooster Trixster who is half cuckoo maran. He also has some green shiny feathers.

 

[stargirl]

He looks mostly (if not completely) EE.

I’m in the U.K.. and we don’t really get EE’s here. I’m never sure if it’s just different terminology for the same birds or if we just don’t have the same breeds!

I agree that his cheek muffs definitely look like the EE’s I’ve seen in photos!

 

[stargirl]

This is my rooster Trixster who is half cuckoo maran. He also has some green shiny feathers. View attachment 2974327

Oh he’s gorgeous! The snow really suits his feathers too

What’s his temperament like?
Aside from the bigger wattles & comb he looks a lot like Eagle!

 

[Bonkerelli]

Oh he’s gorgeous! The snow really suits his feathers too

What’s his temperament like?
Aside from the bigger wattles & comb he looks a lot like Eagle!

He's docile and slightly skiddish. Doesn't like to be held but will tolerate it. He has never shown human aggression. My little Serama rooster is the boss of him, lol. Besides cuckoo Maran he is English Orpington, which a cold hardy, more feathers, heavy breed.