Aggressive Rooster, Help With Decision?

[mcmom48]

My first chickrn followed my son home one day. Didnt know it was a boy. A very healthy and adorable 12 wk old buff orpington i named baby chicken little mclitus. I took him everywhere. Chicken lady became the nick name i was given by anyone who saw us. He had free roam of the house. He hated to be away from his family. My daughter and i would sleep with him as he loved to be under the blankets. One day something awful happened. My daughter decided to show him her life size doll. It scared him so much that he immediately started attacking her. This lil guy loved to play with my children, loved to sleep on my chest and listen to my stories, learned some tricks i taught him would get upset every time she came too close to him. He was so upset that he would turn and look at me, i always had him in my arms, look at me ,pull his head back and with immense force take a big chunk of my lip off. All because she wouldnt get away from him. Normally he was this happy lil guy but he didn't like what she did and he nvr forgave her. The o ly other time he got like that towards me was because his hen died and he was upset that i didnt bring her back. So he attacked me for 2 or 3 months i was so upset i thought i would never be able to hold him again. But he did.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Its just according to what and how you want to do. I NEVER Cull either. I have not slaughtered a chicken for food in probably 50 years with no plans to do one in the near future. I take them Bad Roosters and others to the Auction where the Meat buyer is because I know where they are heading---to some ones dinner table. I am not going to keep a mean rooster---I will try getting his attention a time or two but after that----he takes a ride. No, I would not try to sell him to a individual for their flock----the meat buyer assures me where they are heading. I have sold them mean boys for $12 to $27----If they go for $15---I loose $3 for commission but with $12 I can pick up some chickens ready to go from the grocery store. If they go for $25, $5 com---I can get some chickens and a Steak---LOL. Sure---its just what you want to do and how you want to run your Chicken Yard!!

 

[Mrs. K]

If you have small children live with you, or visit you, I strongly recommend dispatching this rooster ASAP. They often will attack children first. I think he has been giving you signals that he was becoming aggressive, because you mention that you have been aware of him.

Maybe he won't, but I would place money on the table that he will attack you again, no matter how you handle it, and even if you dominate him, he will be looking for the next human to attack. Roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of people. Being as he has attacked you, it is like keeping a dog that bites people, you can be legally liable for him.

Mrs K

 

[mcmom48]

My roosters have never attacked my kids except for that one situation when they where younger. It depends on the temperament of the bird. I had a 3 ft road island red cock who froze everytime he couldnt see bis hen. Talk about chicken.

 

[Lokibinian]

If you have small children live with you, or visit you, I strongly recommend dispatching this rooster ASAP. They often will attack children first. I think he has been giving you signals that he was becoming aggressive, because you mention that you have been aware of him.

Maybe he won't, but I would place money on the table that he will attack you again, no matter how you handle it, and even if you dominate him, he will be looking for the next human to attack. Roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of people. Being as he has attacked you, it is like keeping a dog that bites people, you can be legally liable for him.

Mrs K

That's an extremely good point. Thank you.

My first chickrn followed my son home one day. Didnt know it was a boy. A very healthy and adorable 12 wk old buff orpington i named baby chicken little mclitus. I took him everywhere. Chicken lady became the nick name i was given by anyone who saw us. He had free roam of the house. He hated to be away from his family. My daughter and i would sleep with him as he loved to be under the blankets. One day something awful happened. My daughter decided to show him her life size doll. It scared him so much that he immediately started attacking her. This lil guy loved to play with my children, loved to sleep on my chest and listen to my stories, learned some tricks i taught him would get upset every time she came too close to him. He was so upset that he would turn and look at me, i always had him in my arms, look at me ,pull his head back and with immense force take a big chunk of my lip off. All because she wouldnt get away from him. Normally he was this happy lil guy but he didn't like what she did and he nvr forgave her. The o ly other time he got like that towards me was because his hen died and he was upset that i didnt bring her back. So he attacked me for 2 or 3 months i was so upset i thought i would never be able to hold him again. But he did.

My roosters have never attacked my kids except for that one situation when they where younger. It depends on the temperament of the bird. I had a 3 ft road island red cock who froze everytime he couldnt see bis hen. Talk about chicken.

I feel bad that your buff rooster changed like that. But that Rhode cockerel, ha! Poor guy.

 

[mcmom48]

Theyknow what is happening when they get culled. I read its the worst thing to do cause it scares them and they know the whole time whats happening. I would seperate urr rooster and spend one on one time with him. Give him extra love and attention. You will notice one day that he stopped the aggressive behavior. Last thi g is if there is even 1 hen in the flock. Need i say more. Good luck with ur decision.

 

[mcmom48]

That's an extremely good point. Thank you.



I feel bad that your buff rooster changed like that. But that Rhode cockerel, ha! Poor guy.

My buff was an incredible bird who didnt believe he was a bird. He lived to be 9.5 years old. He spent the last 2 weeks of his life on my bed because he had to be hand feed and carried. He no longer could walk. But he sure forgave my daughter during his last 2 wks of life. I still miss him so very much.

 

[keesmom]

I have sold them mean boys for $12 to $27----If they go for $15---I loose $3 for commission but with $12 I can pick up some chickens ready to go from the grocery store. If they go for $25, $5 com---I can get some chickens and a Steak---LOL. Sure---its just what you want to do and how you want to run your Chicken Yard!!

I am definitely in the wrong place for selling chickens! I can't even get $1 each for a nice male let alone a nasty one. And pullets don't go for much more. So my extras end up in the freezer. Personally I like to have some older birds for slow cooking dishes. Much more flavorful than meaties. It's what works for me. Like you pointed out it's up to each flock keeper on how to manage birds.

As for the OP's question, he's your bird so only you can make the decision on what to do with him. If you have little kids involved the answer should be clear. If you want to try to work with him give Beekissed's rooster advice a whirl. Personally I give nasty males a couple of chances and if they keep it up they're gone.

 

[PD-Riverman]

I am definitely in the wrong place for selling chickens! I can't even get $1 each for a nice male let alone a nasty one. And pullets don't go for much more.

About the same here where I live, its hard to get rid of a rooster. I see people offering roosters for free and some times I go get them---take them to the sale. But The Auction's I attend are 1 to 2 hrs away and they sell good there----location and who is there affects the price.

Just for info right now I have about 100 roosters growing for the Auction--wish I had 1000.

 

[wamtazlady]

I am definitely in the wrong place for selling chickens! I can't even get $1 each for a nice male let alone a nasty one. And pullets don't go for much more.

To get rid of my last rooster, and he was a nice one (so far), I offered 5 pullets that had just started laying for $20, but you had to take the rooster. After over a week on craigslist someone finally took them.