it is a boy...

[Laura]

Hi,

I just bought 2 chicks a month and a half ago. Due to yard size, we cannot have more than 2. I got a regular size hen (barred rock), and my daughter got a bantam (blue d'uccle). Well... the bantam chick is definitely a rooster. He crows. That would not be too bad, but I read that roosters need 10 to 12 hens, or they will pester the few ones they have for mating. This rooster lives with only one hen. Besides, the hen is twice his size. Will the rooster start making trouble when he gets older, because he does not have available females? My 2 chickens are very good natured and they are inseparable, so it would be a pity if I have to give him away.
Two more questions: if i give the rooster to a friend with a farm and many large roosters, will the other roosters likely attack him?
If I buy a new chick to replace the rooster, will my hen be hostile to the new chick?
Thank you

[RonL]

Hi Laura. Welcome to Poultry One :)

If they get along very well, I would keep him (as long as the neighbors don't complain about his crowing). If he get too aggressive with his mating, then it will be your choice.

The 10 to 12 hens per rooster is "what one rooster can handle" or service. It's not a need or requirement. If his technique is too rough, then one hen may become stressed or not look very good due to all the missing feathers on her back (which is not out of the ordinary). Without other roosters around for competition, he may end up being gentile.

Others may have varied opinions. Let us know what you decide ............

[JamesC]

Laura:
Ron is right-on with his advise. I don't think you'll have a problem. There will be so much difference in their sizes that he won't likely do any damage.
Since d'Uccles are feather legged, you should try to keep their run as dry as possible and free of mud or both birds will get dirty if he attempts to mate.
His crowing is another matter but it won't be the loud crowing done by large fowl males but the high pitched crow that a bantam male will produce. If you were to send him to a farm where there are other males, he likely won't do very well because of his size.

James

[Heidicat]

Laura, I have a bantam rooster, and he does just fine with my large girls. Being he is so small, he doesn't hurt them all that much, while mating them. Peanut is my only chicken rooster, I have only 2 other bantams that are his size, and the rest of my flock is the standard size.

So just watch and see, he will probabnly get tamer and tamer,,seeing how he only has one girl to keep in line,,,or it could be the othe rway around,,,the hen may keep him in line!! :wink: lol

I have to agree witgh the guys on the going to another farm with large roosters,,,he will get his butt kicked,,and on a daily basis. Not a good choice if you like him. JMO

Any pictures of your birds??? We all love to see others birds......me especially,,, :wink: