Bully Roo Roo Issues

[chicken jedi]

This is Ricky, our handsome Roo, who we raised from little chick on all the while handling him and giving lots of love. Well, once maturity hit, Ricky of course became protective of his girls especially since spending more time in the coop during our below zero temps here in the far north. I had no problem with his occasional stance/peck on the leg expressing dominance but then twice at my face slicing my lip once and the second time giving me a black eye with a tear in the eye lid. Sooo, I had put him in a second coop we started them in, and take care of him in there. I would love to bring him back in by the girls but when I did try once since I separated them, he was on the attack with anyone, even given time. I don't trust him around the kids when they want to go see the hens, so I am looking for any suggestions anyone may have.

 

[enola]

Facial injuries = stew pot

If he managed to do that much damage to you, he will have absolutely no problem putting your child's out.

Look at the free listings on this site, there are lots of good roosters for free.

 

[keesmom]

It's time he was invited to dinner.

 

[enola]

It's time he was invited to dinner.

.......and he won't need a knife or fork either

 

[Sarevan]

We have an elderly man in town that has chickens, he makes his extra income by selling eggs, the occasional chicks etc. A couple weeks ago I dropped a huge bag of grit and oyster shell off to him to help him out and he showed me his lil flock of 30. Anyway...

One of his Roos had this hobble contraption on his legs. He could walk, still service the girls awkwardly but unable to jump and rake with his spurs. Given enough time he could probably figure out how to do it however it is working for the time being. When he needs to catch him, he catches the rope with a hook. He has bands on his ankles, and the soft rope goes through to attach to both bands. There is about 8-10" of rope, so he has to take short mincing steps, short scratches on the ground. He said if the Roo keeps being so aggressive he will be put in the pot and the younger roo will take over. It doesn't look cruel or inhumane, isn't doing any damage to the Roo's legs or feet, no friction or abrasion marks.

They are in a high fenced area protected from the several stray dogs in town or other critters, ground free from anything he could get snagged on, low roost about 2' from ground he doesn't have a problem getting on. He explained he is hobbling the Roo for his safety, and trying to get it to be non aggressive to him. It did flare up to me from 30' away and make the warning sound to the flock. It is a big RIR roo, 2yo.

Maybe this is something you could try with your roo in the confined area to keep it from going after you. I don't think I could try it as would take some fiddling to get the length just right and possibility of it getting tangled and freaking out injurying itself.

I drove by a few days ago and the hobbles were off the Roo and haven't found out IF it worked or not for him on settling the roo down.

 

[enola]

A hobbled rooster can still get a couple of feet off the ground... just about eye-level to a child.

Just saying......

 

[donrae]

This is Ricky, our handsome Roo, who we raised from little chick on all the while handling him and giving lots of love. First place you went wrong. Roosters aren't pets and shouldn't be handled or loved on. They're intact male livestock, just as a bull or stallion. Treat with respect, and be ever vigilant to remain the dominant one in the relationship.


Well, once maturity hit, Ricky of course became protective of his girls especially since spending more time in the coop during our below zero temps here in the far north. I had no problem with his occasional stance/peck on the leg expressing dominance You had opportunity right there to remain the dominant one in the relationship, but by "not having a problem with it" you actually were expressing submission to his dominance. At that point he knew he was dominant to you, and could attack you at will.


but then twice at my face slicing my lip once and the second time giving me a black eye with a tear in the eye lid. Sooo, I had put him in a second coop we started them in, and take care of him in there. I would love to bring him back in by the girls but when I did try once since I separated them, he was on the attack with anyone, even given time. I don't trust him around the kids when they want to go see the hens, this rooster will never be trustworthy around your kids. Chose their safety and enjoyment of the birds over the rooster and get rid of him.

so I am looking for any suggestions anyone may have.

A hobbled rooster can still get a couple of feet off the ground... just about eye-level to a child.

Just saying......

Exactly. He's already gone for the face once, he'll do so again. There's not a single reason to keep this rooster. You surely don't want to hatch chicks from him as temperament is inherited.

Get rid of the rooster, and just keep a flock of hens while you have children. Make it a good experience for everyone, not one where your kids grow up afraid of birds because of a bad childhood experience.

I know you probably came here looking for a way to rehab him, but in the collective experience on this board, it's not going to happen. You could MAYBE get him not to attack you, but you'd never, ever be able to fully trust him. One day even a year down the road, you'd turn your back, or have one of your littles out, and he'd attack. He's just not worth it. You probably didn't want a rooster anyway, and just got him by mistake, so stay with your original plan and just keep hens. They're much nice and way more appropriate for a family.

 

[enola]

Another fact...... Hens appreciate a rooster free life. They don't enjoy stress any more than we do.

 

[Triple Willow]

Crock pot.

 

[phalenbeck]

I have been through lots of roosters over the last 5 years. I expect to eat more. Between overmating, to much crowing, and getting mean they become people or dog food. Now that I am comfortable with 'processing' it is no big deal. I no longer fear straight run birds, and also part of chicken keeping is processing surplus hens and roosters. Yours looks tasty.