Random Rooster Questions/chicken psychology

[Peppercorngal]

It’s not awful smelling just different, tangy and musky. I wonder how many people are now sniffing their roosters because of me? I’m tempted to check them all myself now. I will say I’ve only noticed it with the two boys (but then I also usually don’t have them close enough o my face to smell anything over the usual chicken run smells “ok, who just did the cecal poop by the feeder?” ).

Interesting about the fear of white things...

I don't know how many are sniffing roosters at this point, but I am NOT! I don't really care how they smell to me or each other as long as they all get along and I get plenty of eggs! Which they are and I do! I have at least 5 hens and one rooster molting right now and the feathers are everywhere. One girl looks like she was plucked and is now getting new feathers. Looks awful! Two more girls are not far behind. Yeah, the white fear is very strange, but with a chicken sized brain, there is no telling. It's very hot here for late October (91) and our power is out. I'm glad I filled all water pots this morning!!

 

[Wolfefarmyard]

I personally haven’t noticed any different odor from by boys. Maybe your nose picks up different scents than mine or your boys may just be special!

And I do a LOT of cuddling with them!

 

[centrarchid]

Control for stage in molt cycle.

 

[tn_artist]

We pick up our OEGB boy everyday. We recently put no crow collars on most of our boys and I noticed no smell. I was quite close, and usually give them a quick kiss on the head before putting them down. (Except the big EE boy. He takes a firm hug/hold just to hold him without him freaking out).
Strange enough, we all like the smell if our birds. They usually smell of fresh turned dirt, damp leaves, and pine straw. We have been known to snuggle a bird and tell each other things like, "ooo, he smells so good! Smell him!, Or "oh, you can tell she was in the pine straw, smell how nice!" Yes. We are weird like that. And yes, we are happy that way.

 

[centrarchid]

I would concentrate sniffing efforts on the cotton at base of tail. Beware the chicken farts are frequent and strong smelling. What I am picking up with a 4 year old cock does not come across as musty. Need to compare cock and hen sniffing back and forth for proper comparison. Real truth will be if you can distinguish gender based on smell alone.

 

[MROO]

I would concentrate sniffing efforts on the cotton at base of tail. Beware the chicken farts are frequent and strong smelling. What I am picking up with a 4 year old cock does not come across as musty. Need to compare cock and hen sniffing back and forth for proper comparison. Real truth will be if you can distinguish gender based on smell alone.

NOOOOO! I refuse to do a hiney sniff test on a chicken! Chicken farts are real ... and really nasty ... and I have no intention of getting my face close enough to test the gender theory of how they smell. I'll leave that up to all the BYC experts ... and will bow deeply in gratitude for the sharing of their newfound knowledge!

 

[centrarchid]

NOOOOO! I refuse to do a hiney sniff test on a chicken! Chicken farts are real ... and really nasty ... and I have no intention of getting my face close enough to test the gender theory of how they smell. I'll leave that up to all the BYC experts ... and will bow deeply in gratitude for the sharing of their newfound knowledge!

I read fear of the SBD (Silent But Deadly) for it is real. Suck it up and live a little.

 

[Chickassan]

Go on, sniff one you wont get hooked on hiney.

NOOOOO! I refuse to do a hiney sniff test on a chicken! Chicken farts are real ... and really nasty ... and I have no intention of getting my face close enough to test the gender theory of how they smell. I'll leave that up to all the BYC experts ... and will bow deeply in gratitude for the sharing of their newfound knowledge!

 

[aart]

and it seems to be more around their oil gland, distinctly different from the chicken smell that the hens have,

Hmmmm......this will be on my mind until I do a sniff comparison.
Makes sense that the males odor may be different than a females.

 

[so lucky]

I agree that male scent may be different than female, and I was also wondering if the boy who smells is active with the ladies? Could it be a function of increased sperm production if mating a lot?
The longer I have chickens, the more intricate the "pecking order" seems to me. The least little thing, possibly even unnoticed to us mere humans, may upset the apple cart and rearrange the order.