at my wits end..need serious advice

[newchickiefarmer]

Hi all... I know I'm going to get some responses about being an irresponsible chicken owner but I'm at my wits end and I just really really need some advice.

Last year I bought 3 (4 week old) chicks from a local hatchery. The guy at the hatchery didn't know if they were hens or roos. I ended up with 2 roos and one hen. One roo died over winter. Maggie had been laying really great, but the roo started being too agressive with her. I had heard that more hens would solve that problem...so the other day I bought 3 sex link hens.

Now, there's the background...here's the problem:....my rooster is just way too agressive. We can't even get into the coop to check for eggs unless we carry a rake with us to keep him away.

I'm not going to eat him, I can't let him roam free because he won't make it past my dogs. I've posted ads everywhere for a free rooster, but nobody is interested. ...whats the next step..what can I do?

 

[Emzyyy]

I would take him but my dad is sick of crowing. I have 9 roosters already they all get along though pretty well with 9 hens.

 

[KellyHM]

Auction?

 

[newchickiefarmer]

hmmm..haven't heard about any auctions around here...not for chickens at least, got cattle n horse..no chicken auctions...

 

[Lollipop]

I`ve never dealt with mean roosters accept with an axe. However, I read about this recently and the poster says it works. This is advice from a 72 YO farmer who seems to know what he`s talking about. If it doesn`t work for you just say so. I hate to pass along bad advice. Prior to this info, I figured the only cure was an ax. Maybe there is hope after all….

Hold the offending rooster by the legs and dip his head in a bucket of water. When you see a few bubbles, put him on the ground and let him alone. His attitude should now be a lot different. Sometimes they need a second lesson, but not often.

You did say you are at your witts end. Time for some drastic measures. If you can save the boy and have peace in your yard, wouldn`t it be worth it? For those that consider this animal abuse, you`re in his world when you enter your yard and his world is violent. I guarrentee a little water adjustment for a bad attitude is better than how I would change it.......Pop

 

[newchickiefarmer]

well....I suppose it would be worth a try...only how on earth do you get close enough to him to get him by the feet? when I say mean I'm talking mean.... he actually gouged out a little shred of my husbands boots..and those are leather! so if he can do that to leather, what would he do to me? I'm just about ready to kick him outta the yard and let nature take its course....but the guilt is just killing me...

 

[lux_interior]

Quote:
I would definitely try this before the axe! Doesn't sound cruel, if your roo's being a little grump, he needs to be set straight, ya know?

 

[lux_interior]

This is my first BYC post where I typed a swear word... it replaced the B* word with "GRUMP" .... that's adorable!!!

good luck by the way

 

[farmerlor]

This is a Banty Cochin with a Napoleon Complex. If you can't bring yourself to OFF the little bird then he definitely needs an attitude adjustment. Get one of those water guns that squirt like a gallon at a time and the next time he comes out you douse the little squirt. If you can catch him snag him up and carry him around each time he does this. He needs to be more afraid of you than you are of him or tame down or die.

 

[newchickiefarmer]

I guess I just wasn't sure if he can be tamed....Really it's so silly right? he's half the size of a normal rooster...I made the mistake of running the first time he chased, so I know some of this is my fault..Squirt gun huh? I'm gonna have to try that....