Help! Our rooster has become very agressive over the last few weeks. He is just about a year now. He started out by attacking me and has since then moved on to my husband (who didn't belive me at first that we was on the prowl). We have also noticed that the hens are pretty beat up as well. This is our first year with our chickens and are at a loss for what to do. Do we separate him permanently? Do we cull him (I'm very sad about this prospect) and if so, what is the best way? I'm very upset about this entire situation and would appreciate any advice. Thanks!
It's up to you what you do with him. After dealing with an aggressive roo for the past year, I am going to tell you to put him in the pot. Trying to rehab an aggressive roo is a waste of time and effort better put into looking for a nicer roo. There are too many good roos out there looking for a home to deal with a jerk. Good luck.
I too had a rooster who was aggressive toward his hens. I put aprons on the hen and he started pulling the feathers on their heads. Decided it was time for him to go. Put an ad on Craigslist and the next morning had a call from someone who picked him up that evening. The nice person also took 5 chicks that my broody hatched out. Hopefully if any are roosters, they will be nicer than their dad. I noticed the hens are alot calmer and also don't mind me being in the coop and run with them. It is almost like they have relaxed since the rooster has left. I know that I have. Good luck. Terri
I've separated our "bad roo" and will freezer camp him when friends get back in town to help. He's an old hat @ this and will help DH learn the ropes. I hope you are able to sort this out to your satisfaction. Once they turn to the dark side... others say the never go back to being nice.
Quote:I would have to second this.... We are sending our rooster to freezer camp on account of bad behavior. THis is the first time we have kept a roo, and honestly....he has ruined all the fun. I don't know if I will look for another, but I would recommend you start looking for a nicer roo. It is said that there are some out there! Good luck.
Thanks for al lof the advice. You have all confirmed that it is time fro him to go. He was an accident anyways. I don't know that I have the heart to cull him so I thought about putting him on craigslist, but I'm afraid someone will try to use him for fighting. Thougths? If we do it ourselves, what is the fastest most humane way to cull him? Thanks again.
Do you know anyone that might be willing to help process him? Nothing tastes better than a roo that's been irritating you for months. If you are not interested in processing him then cervical dislocation is the most humane way to cull him. You can be-head him, or you can use a rake or broomstick to break his neck. You place his head on one side of the rake/broomstick, and his body on the other. Step on the tool pinning his head/neck and then pull sharply up on his feet. It doesn't take much to break the neck, but don't be squeamish when you pull or you risk just hurting him and not actually killing him. Once it is achieved there will be some flapping, but that is just nervous reaction. The deed is done. Sorry you have to do this, but it's probably for the best. Good luck.
Newbie here--and not to counter the wise consensus that killing is best/easiest/safest--but should you choose to explore further, information is available on this board and blog about handling and training roosters. (Others say they should not be handled at all, so different strokes for different folks.) I am a first-time accidental roolet owner with trepidation so I may find myself in your boat a year from now! But I have chosen to handle my guy a lot and hope he will grow up accepting me as boss. Trying to establish dominance seems like a normal male / animal leadership behavior to me. By analogy, in the horse world, you do need knowledge, experience, and specific techniques to raise a nice, mannerly respectful stallion vs. one that can be quite dangerous. A young male animal with raging hormones that has been completely untrained to maturity will want to ensure that it can control something (you) that intrudes upon its turf and females. Domestication should bring that behavior in to reasonable bounds, but perhaps training can indeed fill in gaps for certain suitable animals. Good luck with whatever your decision.
I spent two months trying to teach my polish roo who was boss. I went thru the motions. I read and read and acted on anything that made sense. The end result was a roo that went to freezer camp. Don't waste your time and don't risk injury to you or children who could lose an eye from a spur. The last straw was when he drew blood on my thigh through a pair of jeans. He was dead by night fall.......