The Double-Edged Sword of Raising Roosters: A Tale of Protection and Aggression
When I decided to raise chickens from hatchlings, I found myself with a surprising ratio: five roosters to just one hen. Among these roosters were two Jersey Giants, who grew remarkably large in a short span of time. Another noteworthy member was an Araucana, easily recognizable by its distinctive facial features.
The Upsides and Downsides of Raising Roosters
I genuinely enjoyed raising these roosters, watching them grow from tiny chicks into full-grown birds. However, cohabitation issues soon surfaced. The roosters frequently clashed among themselves and with the lone hen. Worse yet, they would collectively turn on me if I let my guard down while entering their enclosure.
An Unexpected Ally: The Raccoon Dilemma
Interestingly, raccoons started infiltrating the pen, initially in search of leftover food. However, it seemed that even the raccoons were wary of the roosters. On one occasion, I discovered a raccoon peacefully eating beside the alpha rooster. Another day, I found a baby raccoon comfortably asleep in the…
