Advice about rooster

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It has been an interesting debate, but now half of it has been deleted.

 

[TalkALittle]

Exactly!! My cousins also have a dog that was aggressive and is now the nicest dog ever! Why should a rooster be any differeny.

Don't get me wrong. This dog isn't any "nicer" than when he came to me and he would still bite people if in the wrong hands. All his same motivations are there. He just knows that it is no longer in his best interest to act on them.

 

[charleyfish]

Hi there. Im really new t this page. How do I post?

 

[aart]

Hi there. Im really new t this page. How do I post?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=1198

 

[aart]

It has been an interesting debate, but now half of it has been deleted.

Too bad...poster regret.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Ya, I missed out on Bee's posts by the time I got to read.

Still got to see the ones somebody quoted though!

Anyways I was one of those first in this thread that probably said "off with his head".

After Bee posted her suggestion about training, I realized oh ya, that's what I do.... If I plan to keep a roo, and I do.

And didn't think to mention it to OP because as stated by Old Hen, most people don't have the experience or mindset to deal with it.....

Alas, we are ALL here to share our experience and learn from each other! And so I won't make "off with his head" be my first and only statement in future threads.

BYC has changed my chicken keeping life fur ever!

 

[MollySunshine]

this is the best reply I have read on this forum. Excellently worded and very true, thanks

I second and third what you say. Very good Beekissed. I have a special place in my heart for my roosters. When I discovered I have so many, everyone's response was you need to cull them. I saw what they brought to my chicken keeping experience, I didn't see this as the ultimate option. Not everyone is willing to put in the required time and effort. It's so much easier to discard. Putting out the word about the joy of roosters is becoming a huge passion of mine. And to think I came into chicken keeping to have fresh eggs. It's turning out to be so much more.

Ok, now I have to read the rest of the posts....I couldn't help myself. I needed to defend these creatures before I got to the end.

 

[bobbi-j]

I'll admit - I'm of the "off with his head camp. I have rooster and I have a dog. I'm far more invested in my dog than I am my roosters. That having been said, I'd also put down a dog if I didn't feel I could trust it not to attack me when I turn my back. Would I attempt to train it out of that behavior? Of course I would. I can't say how much time I'd put into it as I have never been in that situation. And fortunately it's been years since I've had "that" rooster. I start my cockerels out letting them know from the beginning who is boss. I walk confidently through them, I make them get out of my way, I just don't give them the opportunity to think they are dominant over me. Should I ever end up with a rooster that doesn't catch on, he will be invited to dinner.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I second and third what you say. Very good Beekissed. I have a special place in my heart for my roosters. When I discovered I have so many, everyone's response was you need to cull them. I saw what they brought to my chicken keeping experience, I didn't see this as the ultimate option. Not everyone is willing to put in the required time and effort. It's so much easier to discard. Putting out the word about the joy of roosters is becoming a huge passion of mine. And to think I came into chicken keeping to have fresh eggs. It's turning out to be so much more.

Ok, now I have to read the rest of the posts....I couldn't help myself. I needed to defend these creatures before I got to the end.

Well, we don't just "discard" them.... We eat them instead of buying from the atrocity that is the commercial "poultry" industry. We don't kill out of anger. And every single one of my chickens gets the good life even until the last moment. Unless the good life means everything organic.... even I don't get that.

As much as I wished I could join the vegan/ vegetarian band wagon.... my flesh is weak and I like meat. So I raise my own or buy local pasture raised, grass fed.

Making the first cull was very difficult and my family may have been more upset were it not for the support given by @Beekissed and her informative videos! Though I may not agree with every practice she has. She definitely has more experience than I do. And WOW!! God bless your heart Bee! To be defending the rooster as an animal knowing you eat them to, is an awesome testament to the core of who you are!

Thank for the many great reads I've had from you and the many more I know will come!

It's been said... If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. And so the great information debate rages on!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'll admit - I'm of the "off with his head camp. I have rooster and I have a dog. I'm far more invested in my dog than I am my roosters. That having been said, I'd also put down a dog if I didn't feel I could trust it not to attack me when I turn my back. Would I attempt to train it out of that behavior? Of course I would. I can't say how much time I'd put into it as I have never been in that situation. And fortunately it's been years since I've had "that" rooster. I start my cockerels out letting them know from the beginning who is boss. I walk confidently through them, I make them get out of my way, I just don't give them the opportunity to think they are dominant over me. Should I ever end up with a rooster that doesn't catch on, he will be invited to dinner.

I couldn't imagine having a dog that might attack me when my back is turned with the ferocity that some roosters do to their keepers. I do believe dogs that act like that are put down as vicious dogs. Often in those cases the dog gets the blame too, just like the rooster does. In both cases it's a matter of not understanding animal behaviors and interacting with them appropriately and knowing how to set up boundaries and rules to be followed.

Back in the day problem dogs were often dispatched just as often as roosters, thankfully times have changed and continue to change, but as a kid many dogs would disappear one day, and stray dogs would often be shot on sight.

The main difference is roosters are considered food in this country and dogs are not, they are considered companions. Other countries might have a different debate.