aggressive at 6 weeks

[BigBlueHen53]

Any Mennonites or Amish in your area? I have a lovely Mennonite lady near me who only charges $1 a head (sorry, pun not intended) to dress out a chicken. I take my cockerels to her in the morning in a crate and pick up the empty crate and dressed bird(s) in the afternoon. She's a dandy!

 

[Cryss]

Put an ad on craigslist, or post at your local feed store somebody will take him.
For sure if you have any Latino neighborhoods ask around, fresh ingredients are always sought after.

The only problem with craigslist is that feisty roosters could become sport athletes if you get my drift. I know someone who does. His "farm" is in another country. He sold one for 3 grand. I was shocked at his casual attitude. I'm betting he has some here too.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Today my son went to pick up another chick and the little roo attack him.

I won't take in others chickens, even for eating for not wanting to bring any possible illness to my flock. Some people aren't as concerned about protecting their own birds.

I would cull now, and also consider it to be without any other choice when children are involved.

There is no excuse for this type of behavior regardless of handling IMO, at that age and it's very indicative of a bird that will be a problem. Out of hundreds I've hatched only 2 or 3 were ever like that from very young. I do have a stag pen and they all get invited to dinner. BUT I make decisions in the best interest of my family and the whole flock based on attitude first, so would not hesitate (any more which is not the same as not finding it terribly difficult). If the carcass isn't big enough for eating or stock... I compost it, put it out for scavengers, trash it... whatever makes sense. Life is too short to deal with aggressive behavior. It's too bad that hormones can be sooo controlling (talk about cluing in you if you've ever raised teenagers, I now have a better understanding). When they are this stupid they don't get much chance to learn any manners. As stated though, it's hard enough to find a home for pleasant boys.

Good luck!

 

[sharondoright]

My experience with roosters has been that the more they get handled, the more likely they are to get aggressive, some breeds more than others.

I've never heard this. I am determined to handle my hens regularly now that mean roo is in his new home. I didn't handle him or his hatch-mates much, and none are as friendly as my first girls, who we handled more often. I have 8 new(ish) buff orpingtons being raised by a black rock hen. They are about 4 weeks old now, and all doing great. need to spend time in coop handling all the chickens ...

 

[Mixed flock enthusiast]

How about posting pics of these aggressive little tyrants?

Disposing of any unwanted chickens is the decision of the flock keeper. Just recently, I chose to cull an aggressive cockerel at age six weeks mainly because his disruptive behavior portended a future of conflict when he joined the two adult roos of the flock. I decided to do what I did because I can't rehome chickens from my flock since they carry the LL virus.

So, if your question is motivated by a sense of ethics, my response is that yes, it's ethical to cull aggressive chicks.

I’m with you here; Marek’s virus. Before I knew that we had it, I’d regime cockerels via Craigslist. I’m pretty confident that they did not go to fighting; I was fine with any other use. There are a lot of hawks in our area of Oklahoma, and many people keenfree range chickens with an excess of cockerels to act as “flock defenders” or hawk bait. I got to see pictures of some of our Roos that made it several months with these flicks and they were living the good life until then... However, I don’t rehome anymore. We are now keeping excess cockerels in a bachelor pad with a plan to butcher at 3 mo. We also have four of last year’s cockerels in a bachelor pad for breeding as needed (and because DD is attached to them!). If we had young kids instead of teens, I’d be very hesitant to keep a cockerel of any temperament, as they can be so unpredictable.

 

[Chickassan]

Totally agree, if they're mean touching them didn't cause it but it does mean they'll be upfront about it instead of sneaky.
I prefer that, if one of my boys and I aren't going to get along i'd rather know and have him comfy enough with me so I can take whatever steps are best for all involved.

I've never heard this. I am determined to handle my hens regularly now that mean roo is in his new home. I didn't handle him or his hatch-mates much, and none are as friendly as my first girls, who we handled more often. I have 8 new(ish) buff orpingtons being raised by a black rock hen. They are about 4 weeks old now, and all doing great. need to spend time in coop handling all the chickens ...

 

[BlueBaby]

Either grow him out to eat, or if you don't want to do that then cull him now. It's easier to cull them when they are small like that then when they get bigger.

 

[LadyGunnar]

Any chance you have a spare coop to keep him in till he grows enough to invite to dinner?

Nope. I have my hens in the main coop and run. The littles are all in the small one. I could turn him out with the big hens. He seems to be very protective of one of his hatch mates.

 

[LadyGunnar]

Put an ad on craigslist, or post at your local feed store somebody will take him.
For sure if you have any Latino neighborhoods ask around, fresh ingredients are always sought after.

He is super little still. There is nothing to eat on him. I don't think anyone would want to raise him.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm in the 'cull him now' camp. It's tough, but he's not going to get nicer, or safer, and your child is way more important!!!
Mary