Thank you so much Shadrach! This is an excellent and comprehensive article, well written and enjoyable with the story-telling of your tribes. I wish I had read this a year ago, before culling my 2nd in command Polish rooster. He often ran at me - and I did the foot shuffle at him, which I now see was an act of aggression that by nature he had to respond to. A year later, and his #1 hen has still not accepted the #1 roo (Ameraucana) which has caused some stress for both of them. He isn't tolerating her lack of submission very well, and likely due to the stress, she hasn't laid an egg since shortly after her roo's death. They do form strong bonds.
I have 3 cockerels now to choose one from. The offspring of the Ameraucana, (a mix) who in his first 4 months has been great. Same temperament as his sire - calm and confident. He is a teen now and trying to establish himself a flock. He doesn't court though - just strikes & strikes out. Do you know if early behaviours are indicative of the temperament they will have as adults? Is his pre-teen days a sign of a good roo? I have to choose between him and 2 younger Blue Copper Marans, who are about 15 weeks now - and one of them is huge! Any thoughts on Blue Copper Marans roosters tolerating other Roosters?
I have 3 cockerels now to choose one from. The offspring of the Ameraucana, (a mix) who in his first 4 months has been great. Same temperament as his sire - calm and confident. He is a teen now and trying to establish himself a flock. He doesn't court though - just strikes & strikes out. Do you know if early behaviours are indicative of the temperament they will have as adults? Is his pre-teen days a sign of a good roo? I have to choose between him and 2 younger Blue Copper Marans, who are about 15 weeks now - and one of them is huge! Any thoughts on Blue Copper Marans roosters tolerating other Roosters?
I don't try to assess a chickens personality until they are over a year old.