Will my new rooster Man-up, or will he always be a sissy?

[willkatdawson]

I rehomed our BR roo because he was starting to spur my family. I researched and was pretty confident that a standard cochin roo would always be nice to my family. I bought one yesterday from a show breeder. He is almost exactly the same age as my 7 hens(7 months) One of my BR hens is being kind of hard on him but, otherwise all the girl are just ignoring him. I took him out with the hens this afternoon to free range and once his feet hit the ground he just walked. His head was straight up, no scratching or even looking around. If I hadn't stopped him he would probably be in the next county by now. At the breeders he was in a pen with hens and 2 other roos, he was the low man. I know it takes almost 2 years for standard cochins to fully mature but, do you think he will ever be the leader of my flock. Are cochins able to take charge and be boss. This poor fella is really lost. The BR hen I mentioned before will walk up to him and jump on him then he runs..well...like a girl. Any hope of this boy being the future leader of the flock?

 

[hooksetz]

I've seen roos not take over until after a year old, then I've seen 'em try to take over at 18 wks.. It's hard to say, but in his own time he'll pick it up. Does he have his roo feathering yet?

 

[willkatdawson]

I'm not sure. Because I'm new to cochins I'm not exactly sure what his rooster feathers would look like. I know what saddle feathers are, do cochins have those.

 

[mom wewantchicks!]

you sound like me.my cochin roo just turned one in feb. and just started crowing. he is soooo prettty,and fairly friendly,but big wussy. its funny he will strut all around and act all big and tuff towards our dog,she wouldnt hurt him,but ive seen the girls bully him and he runs. it really is comical. its not so funny when my dh calls him queer,it hurts his feelings lol. over all we like him but he is no big,bad rooster.

 

[gritsar]

They man up. Thor was a wuss too, until I rehomed my other roo. Your little man needs more time to settle in and the hens are going to give him a bad time until he's had enough and shows them who's the boss.

 

[willkatdawson]

I'm glad he's not the only one who's ever had confidence issues. It's hard to go from a rooster that was so dominate to one that is scared of his shadow.