Hi de ho Everyone,

Thought I would borrow a page from our dear Hobie and his wonderful explanation of opossum's. They are a wonderful creature and I have enjoyed their company for many years. One of the more useful things they do, that surprised many, was search out and eat ticks. This is a thing that many types of birds do also, like chickens, guinea fowl, ducks, etc. But it also occurred to me that many probably do not realize what roosters really do and are. So like the opossum explanation, I thought I would do the same about roosters.

Roosters come in two basic types, domestic and wild, many animals these days have a similar distinction. Wild roosters, of which there aren't many of those anymore, have the duty to collect hens and protect them and their offspring which hopefully are theirs. This is why they have those dangerous, long spurs on their legs, such sharp beaks, and are quite aggressive. In the wild, these are necessary and important weapons for them to be able to do their functions. There are quite a few bird species that have these sorts of weapons for just the same purpose.

Domestic roosters though, usually do not need these weapons and they have been mis-used by us through cock fighting. A domestic rooster has just one real purpose, to fertilize eggs.

Just a bit of side info here, a egg that is not fertilized will not produce a chick. Period. While there are a few species of animals that this is not true of, it is true of chickens.

Having known chickens all my life I can reasonably say they are a dicey lot!!!! They have distinct personalities and opinions. Roosters top the list though ohohohohoho. They are real characters!!!!! If you are trying to take care of and raise chickens a good rooster is not only a good find but a lucky one!!!!! A good rooster is one that only crows at sunrise or if there is something endangering his flock of hens. He doesn't harass the hens and knows that she may say No today but tomorrow she will say somethings different so he is patient. He doesn't attack the chicks and usually you will have to lock him out of the house in order to collect the eggs. Also a good rooster will not attack you when you are in the house trying to clean things up for everyone. Some really good roosters will actually trust you and follow you around like a good dog.

However, finding roosters like this is very rare and when you do you should take care of him and value him. Hoping that his genes and temperament will rub off on his sons.

Having explained this and if you have read this far ohohohoho, you are probably wondering what the point here is???
Well, most roosters, the large majority of roosters are not "good" roosters. They crow at all hours of the day and night and for no other reason than to show off and try to out best other roosters. They chase and harass the hens and will kill any chicks they find. (sort of sounds like DC hmmmm)
They are constantly fighting with each other and cause incredible chaos within the chicken yard. They put incredible pressure on your good rooster cause now he has to try to protect the hens from them while trying to put them in their place within the pecking order. If you are trying to have some chicks, this is not something that is going to happen!!!!! And to make matters worse, these "roosters" will attack you when you come into the yard to feed them and take care of everyone. Let me tell you that is most unpleasant!!!!! My neighbor has a slash on her forearm about 3 inches long from one of these fellows, suffice to say he ended up in the stew pot that night.

I closed her wound myself. It is healing up nicely but will make a scar for awhile.

I am sorry this has winded up being so long but it is good info for anyone who is interested in keeping chickens or does not understand just what roosters are.

Thank you for your kindness and indulgence
many blessings and safe journeys for us all ttfn jas