What age do roosters act like roosters?

[FC16]

What age will a male start acting dominant, leading the flock, and protecting them?

Currently have a 14 week old RIR X White leghorn cockerel who hasn’t crowed yet. As he’s not fully grown he’s smaller than hens and actually gets pecked sometimes by them.
I keep getting cats coming into my garden trying to cause havoc, when will the cockerel step up and become more dominant?

 

[Buckingham Palace]

i think they murture when they start crowing. I have a 3 month old silkie his sister pecks him Sometimes. He is not crowing yet. I hope this helps.

 

[OzarkChooks]

I'm still learning about roosters myself. My Ameraucana cockerel became very protective of the flock at around 6 months. I have a 6 month old brahma cockerel right now who crows and mates but shows zero interest in protecting anyone.

Probably depends on breed and individual. 14 weeks could be a bit young.

 

[neo71665]

14 weeks is still way too young. I'd say wait till he's about year old before he figures things out and settles in his role.

 

[NC_Quail]

I don’t have roosters, but would it be possible for you to trap the cats and take them to the shelter/ somewhere far away from you? I have found that stupid cats go into traps pretty easily.

 

[FC16]

I don’t have roosters, but would it be possible for you to trap the cats and take them to the shelter/ somewhere far away from you? I have found that stupid cats go into traps pretty easily.

Yeah I try to trap/catch them but they get away to fast, it’s mainly one to be honest. People have told me to Chuck hot water over them but Id find it cruel, I obviously restricted/protect the chicks a lot more now as the cat has had 3.
Would just be nice to not have to worry about it by having a rooster around

 

[Buckingham Palace]

I’m so sorry about your chicks.

 

[FC16]

I’m so sorry about your chicks.

It’s a shame gone from 5 to 2, ensuring I define you don’t lose another now, as 1 chick is terrible.

 

[BlueBaby]

Yeah I try to trap/catch them but they get away to fast, it’s mainly one to be honest. People have told me to Chuck hot water over them but Id find it cruel, I obviously restricted/protect the chicks a lot more now as the cat has had 3.
Would just be nice to not have to worry about it by having a rooster around

Set out an animal trap with a can of tuna fish for bait. It work's!

 

[NC_Quail]

I was thinking about a raccoon trap which is like a big cage that you put food in, and the door closes behind the animal once they enter the cage. I would understand if you didn’t want to do that, though, or if it was already unsuccessful.
Some people shoot cats also but I dont think I could ever shoot a cat, I’m sure other people are the same way.