Golden Cuckoo Marans Rules the Roost

 My Golden Cuckoo Marans rooster is a little over 5 months old now and has proven to be the head honcho around the poultry pens. He rules the roost, literally. I am pleased about this because he was the rooster I intended to keep and it is disheartening to invest so much time and hope in a rooster that can't head up his flock.

 I haven't chosen a name for him yet, but he is rooster to a Golden Cuckoo Marans hen, some white Maran hens, 5 Salmon Faverolle hens, 2 White Orpingtons, and an Americauna. The Marans were my most desired chickens from the June order of chicks and all of them survived, were very healthy, hearty, and in spite of them being a medium sized standard chicken they began laying eggs at about 4 1/2 months of age. Most other medium standards I have raised start laying closer to 5 to 6 months.

 I would not ever show him because he has a serious flaw with his wings. Can you see it ? Yet he is healthy, vigorous, and I like him !

 This is the time of year the chickens get the discarded pumpkins from my fall decorating and they love eating pumpkins straight from the pumpkin shell. Hey, maybe I should name my rooster Peter ~ Peter , Peter, pumpkin eater !

 My rooster was clearly in charge of pumpkin-eating rights and the hens seemed to know if they were the chosen ones, the ones to be allowed the freedom to eat the pumpkin without my rooster chasing them away. Most of the hens in this little flock steered clear of the pumpkin until the rooster and his chosen hens had eaten their fill.

This picture shows the rooster with his partner, the other Golden Cuckoo Marans , a hen, She is the 2nd chicken from the left. She appears to have a lump or tuft of feathers on her head but it is really where the rooster keeps grabbing her with his beak for "rooster privileges". On one hand I am glad he likes the hen I want him to sire purebred chicks with, but on the other hand, he is a little too rough and she might need a separate pen for awhile to heal... a bother for sure. A decision I will make tomorrow.

I am so happy to watch my young flock grow and begin laying. As I sip my coffee while I watch my chickens in the morning I begin sizing up my newly maturing flock and thinking about the birds I will keep, the birds I will sell, and maybe the birds I might want to show , my rooster keeps reminding me in this little flock he rules the roost !