Roosters are the ‘unsung’ of the poultry world because they’re not very necessary. In fact, they are completely unnecessary if you just want eggs and, even if you want to breed chickens, you only need a single rooster for a whole bunch of chooks. People are constantly advertising free roosters or cheap roosters and some of the ads read a bit like this: Ten roosters FREE, wonderful breeders, lovely natures, not overly noisy – seller is willing to travel up to 1,000 kms for FREE delivery. Be quick or you will miss out! Well, you get the picture.
However, if roosters are re-perceived as birds, rather than as poultry, they become quite a different category altogether. (I’m thinking of writing an article called “In defense of the rooster” for the local poultry magazine so this is a practice run – hehe!)
You see at the moment we have four roosters and no hens (chooks). Most of the chooks were killed during that dark night of the fox several months ago, and we lost the remaining few, one by one, until only the roosters were left. Here is a picture of Malay and No-Name about to go to bed. They sleep in that tree, high up in its branches, safe from the fox.
And here is Tina Turner (who has featured in previous posts), wondering whether to join the peacocks on the car. He eventually decides that the table might be a better roost.
And here is our relatively new rooster (given to us) on his first day here, not sure whether he is being scrutinized or worshipped by the peafowl. NK (short for New Kid) has adapted very well and the other three roosters adore him, so much so that he has been given his own special bedtime branch in the tree.
All four roosters have their own personalities:
Malay (raised by his mother under a shed here) is big, strong and loud, and loves flying.
No-Name is shy, deferential and always waits his turn when I am hand-feeding them.
Tina Turner is vain and aggressive; he particularly likes to fly at my legs and claw me but I have now decided that this is his version of a hug.
NK is gradually becoming the head rooster for some reason and the others seem to think he is a kind of god.
“Why do you have so many roosters?” poultry people ask me.
“I just love them,” I say.
Note: We are getting hens soon!
jmgoyder 
That is so interesting that NK is being treated so well without even having to prove himself! I wonder why…
He is so different looking from the others. Maybe they think he is some sort of master – ha!
Will the guys still be friends if pretty hens come on the scene? I hope so.
I doubt it!
Oh Julie. How wonderful that you love Roosters. Would you like 3 Bantam Roosters free to a home like yours. Out of the 4 eggs, 3 became Roosters. You can have the Hen as well if you like.
Hi Faye!
Yes please!
Julie
Just let me get a few more hens first so your little one won’t be overwhelmed!
I love your heart for the vulnerable…even the roosters! Got a chuckle from one of your responses too: Just let me get a few more hens first so your little one won’t be overwhelmed! hahaha!
Well one hen and all those rooster – it doesn’t bear thinking about!
i would just love to be at your home for one day to see all the splendid animals
You might not like it today – the rain is relentless!
Men are people too, right?
I think so – haha!
I was going to say that it’s the noise and aggression that puts us off but then that would be lost on you! You have so many wondrous birds all strutting their funky stuff that a few rooster calls and cocky fights get lost in the general scheme of things.
Hi,
I think it’s wonderful that they have welcomed the NK, it will be interesting when the hens arrive. 🙂
Indeed!
roosters are rather regal, are they not? and smart too – they are the survivors of foxgate after all
Jules, I love Roosters…my house if full of them (well, you know…the inanimate kind). I’m glad you love them too and it’s about time for some pro-rooster rant. ^5
R
Interesting that the roosters have such different personalities!
You are very forgiving of TT
Interesting dynamics.
I know NOTHING about roosters, but I know that everybody around here who has roosters don’t like them. Why is that?
I think it’s because they are noisy and rather redundant!
“And here is our relatively new rooster (given to us) on his first day here, not sure whether he is being scrutinized or worshiped by the peafowl”
OMG – that photo and comment cracked me up!!!!!!!!!!!
You should have seen that scene – it was hilarious!
Tried to post this earlier but I don’t think it went…
“And here is our relatively new rooster (given tous) on his first day here, not sure whether he isbeing scrutinized or worshipped by the peafowl.”. This line and the photo CRACKED ME UP
I got this but couldn’t reply at the time – sorry!
I usually see the comment and a message saying “comment awaiting moderation” after I post – I didn’t see the comment with that message so I thought it didn’t go through.
We like your Tina Turner!
Bella and DiDi
Humans and animals ~ we both have pecking orders, don’t we? Great photos! And great personality descriptions of all those individual subjects (the roosters).
They are hilarious!
I’m very pleased to read jmgoyder.com !
eczema herpeticum
Ooooooooops. One rooster accidentally got mixed in with the pea fowl.