Written by Karen M. Johns, this book is intended for the novice Pekin keeper, we are lucky enough to have a sample chapter shown below. Firstly, here's an intro into the book by Karen.....

I began the book as a leaflet to give to the buyers of my birds as most had no idea of how to keep pets let alone pekins. Others thought they were just another form of poultry to be dumped in the muddy pen down the back with the other breeds. Next I decided to make it into an article on pekins as I had had some work published. But it got too big for that. When it was 16,000 words I thought I would then write a book on indian game but my son and my partner told me to finish this one properly first. Little did they realize it then became an obssession which has plagued me for the last 3 years. It is now more than 46,000 words with hundreds of photos. I have been steadily illustrating it for eighteen months now but it is a slow process as i have moved house just in this time span 3 times and looks like I have to do it again. This time it looks like I am going to have to finish it without having the birds which will be disapointing as by working with them, selling them and being members of clubs and showing, one is able to pick up little bits and pieces to add. Things like photos that illustrate a point (especially illness and disease and the development of colour patterns) or I am asked questions that the answer would seem only logical to me but then I realize that to a beginner what seems logical is not. Karen

CHAPTER THREE: Roosters

No matter how ugly or lacking in type, Pekin roosters care for their hens. This rooster is calling for his hens to come for bread. He will do this with any little morsal. No matter how tempting the morsal is a Pekin rooster will often give it to his hen rather than eat it himself. The more truthful a rooster is about his calling the more likely his hens will respond to him.

Pekin bantam roosters are charming little animals full of character and beautiful to look at. It is a shame that in our modern society there is becoming less and less tolerance to them and so little is understood about them. The rooster needs specific care like the rest of the flock. He is not just there for the creation of chickens but because he performs a certain role. A Pekin rooster is usually exceptional in his care of the flock; he organizes things, recognizes danger, alerts everyone to danger or suspicious activities or something unusual and will put himself in danger for their protection. He calls for food, finds nest and tit-bits. He often cares for chickens and herds the flock off to roost at night. He’ll include you in his flock presenting you with a juicy grub or hopping on your lap for a chat.

Pekin roosters will often tolerate the loving cuddles of little children returning their affection by calling them to treats. They usually always allow there hens to eat first.

All roosters crow and there is no stopping them, some times starting very young, before 2 months old but not loud. Many people these days are very intolerant to the cocks’ crow regarding it as noise pollution, unnatural or disturbing. And as a result have lobbied councils to ban them forcing many to never experience something that our ancestors have experienced since the dawn of civilization and many who have bred poultry all their lives to be forced to give them up because of increasing urbanization and the criminalization of poultry keeping.

Roosters crowing at night can often be caused by a disturbance like a mouse or other intruder, a light, other crowing roosters and just because he is what he is, a rooster. A new rooster or a change in environment will often increase crowing frequency until they settle in. Some roosters are noisier than others. Once one rooster starts crowing, they all start, each unable to be the first to stop. Crowing is the roosters’ way of announcing his presence to other roosters and hens. Once upon a time one could listen in the early predawn crowing of the roosters far into the distance each answering the others call. Now I suppose we are lucky to hear the haunting call of the curlew or the other creatures of the night, if they are out there anymore.

Roosters do not lay eggs but sometimes a hen will crow. This is rare and not usually as loud as a rooster but it does occur. The hen is normal in all other respects. Where I have heard it the hen appears agitated about something like being removed from her usual run.

Roosters have spurs, which are a horny growth on the lower leg above the back toe, which continually grow. They are difficult to see on Pekin roosters because of their short stance and copious feathers. Hens rarely grow spurs and the occasional rooster may never grow them, because of this and the fact that some birds spurs grow faster than others and they can to be shortened, never use their length as a guide to judging the age of a bird. It is important to check spurs regularly when handling the bird. If they become too long or sharp or curved in an odd direction they may cause damage to the hen or the rooster himself. Spurs should be cut back by half to about 2 centimetres and before they reach 4 centimetres long.

There are 2 methods of doing this, one is using a cutting blade on an angle grinder and the other is using a hacksaw blade. The angle grinder method causes less twisting of the leg and the heat cauterises the blood vessel, which runs down the centre of the spurs thus preventing bleeding. In both cases hot wax to the cut tip will help stop bleeding if it occurs, although usually bleeding stops itself in a short time. Take care not to twist the leg during the operation as this may cause joint damage. After a week or so the spur can be neatened up with some medium grade sand paper taking care not to rub too much on the centre where the bleeding occurred. Sandpaper can also be used to round off sharp tips.

Many roosters are very friendly and enjoy human company however some can be quite aggressive. There are many reasons for aggression in roosters. A lot has to do on how the bird is reared. Usually if the bird is handled gently and regularly and there is no cause for fear or stress it will respond well to you. Play-fighting with it when it is a chicken is fine if it ends gently. Rough handling of a cockerel or other birds in the vicinity causes fear and fear causes a bird to want to defend itself or other birds. Young cockerels will always be misguided about their sexuality especially if locked in a cage by themselves. This should never be treated with aggression no mater how irritating or painful it gets.

Roosters that come from yards where they are only produced for potential showing are often nervous and respond to fear with aggression. Birds will usually respond well to gentle talking and slow movements. Hold birds firmly and do not allow wing flapping. Gentle stroking around the head as well may also be calming. Never let a bird go if it is struggling, when it has quietened then let it go slowly. Never chase birds around to catch them, especially when you are in a hurry. Offer treats regularly and use the same call when approaching them for food or coming to their pen so they recognize you and are prepared for you. Within a couple of weeks birds will get excited when they hear you and look foreword to your company. It can be a bit hard when you don’t know what the bird regards as a treat and it is already untrusting and aggressive, but fine cut grass and bread are usually accepted. If a bird sees other birds enjoying something it soon learns to do the same. Give just a little of the treat at a time so that the bird is looking for more and is encouraged to come closer to you. This method is also used in pen training for shows. Occasional some particular lines of Pekins will produce aggressive roosters but most produce good-natured roosters. Ensure the spurs of aggressive roosters are kept blunt and if children are involved the rooster may need to be disposed of. Always supervise young children with birds and enforce gentleness and respect for all animals.

Keeping more than one rooster together is not a good idea in a restricted environment. Through this book I shall reinforce what I say here. Never introduce two mature or semi mature roosters together as they will fight and the more confined they are the worse the consequences. Fighting in both roosters and hens follow the same behaviour pattern but where hens are just sorting themselves out in the peck order the roosters fight for control over all the hens and to be the only rooster to mate with them. Although the winning hen can make life very miserable for the looser.

Half hearted sparing may one day turn into the real thing Severe damage can be caused by fighting through fences.

Fighting begins by a bird picking at the ground and eyeing the other. If the other bird responds then it progresses to the full neck hackles standing out followed by the birds jumping at or over each other trying to hit the other with its spurs, even if it doesn’t have any, and pecking at each others faces. Some battles may be short with one rooster retreating and thus being chased off or some may go on for varying lengths of time, finishing for a while for a break and then starting again a little while later or the next day. Faces of both combatants may become very bloody and by the following day swelling may cause temporary impediment of sight. Pieces of wattles and comb may be torn or ripped off later affecting birds show potential. Fighting like all stresses also leaves the birds open to disease.

A fight like this will end in blood. If you separate the roosters they will only return to fight again. This fight is over hens on free range. The solution was I let the dominant rooster have the disputed hen and the other settled for hens in a different part of the yard that the other was not interested in at the time.

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