Catching a wild rooster

[centrarchid]

Image is insufficient to determine breed but that is not important.

Set out a baited live-trap like you would for a raccoon. Bait it with scratch grains or even whole corn so that bait is highly viisible. Make so some is scattered outside trap opening. Place trap in location rooster frequents.

edited by staff

 

[LauraSac]

I only adopt rescue dogs who require a lot of work. Vilification of an animal would require judgment, but I don't treat behavioral problems in animals as some kind of moral flaw. I don't think this rooster is thinking about harming. He just is. That's why we want to remove him. I have always loved having him in the neighborhood. It's a treat to see him, and as a morning person, I don't even mind his noise. But the demise of three tame hens who were considered pets changed everything, especially since I now have hens myself. Not being able to free range them, even under supervision, would be terribly disappointing and unfair to the hens.

Thank you for the advice. We have a running joke that he's so smart, he's on our neighborhood Facebook page and knows we're trying to get him. I don't know if we ever will, but for his sake and ours, I hope we do.

edited by staff

 

[centrarchid]

See linked video.

That is normal mating behavior where hen solicits.

Another version occurs where hen tries to get away until rooster grabs her behind head, then she submits.

Damage for both mating patterns is usually minimal and seldom realized where birds are out in the open. I have never seen rooster cause significant damage when hen is able run about at least a little. Rooster does not benefit from harming hens. I have had literally hundreds of roosters and never observed what was reported in this thread about subject rooster. Mature free-range roosters are generally much more inclined to court and refrain from mating until hen solicits.

What is really needed is a video of rooster going after hen and a picture of some dead hens allegedly killed by rooster.

 

[LauraSac]

The only way to capture on video would be to leave the hens free ranging and put up a camera. I don't think anybody's willing to do that. The girls are all locked up. With only 3 hens allowed, losing one is one too many. I don't think anybody took pictures. Like I said, these are like pets, so that would be like taking pics of your cat after getting hit by a car. The best info came from the livestock vet who put the one down, and the woman who was in her back yard when the rooster flew in and attacked her hen (it survived, though had head wounds). She says he visits their yard all the time, but the girls are usually in their run if they're not out back with them. She's the first person who told me she lost a hen to him, but she wasn't a witness to that attack, so I thought maybe it was a different predator.

I asked about predators when I was making my run, so that's how I first learned about problems with him. Then we all talked about him during our neighborhood Easter Egg hunt, and I heard more from other neighbors. He hasn't made his way to my house, though. He stays in the same area all the time. Lots of trees, a vacant lot, and people who feed him, including the woman who lost a hen to him. She doesn't feed him anymore.

 

[Judy]

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[The Lazy L]

So here's the killer. ...It's in the same tree every morning,...Any advice on catching would be appreciated.

A killer roaming the neighborhood. I'd use a .177 caliber pellet air rifle.

 

[lightchick]

If caught, it's likely going to one of the farm animal sanctuaries in this region. I know for a fact that aggressive roosters aren't always given that option. I was simply seeking advice from the community on catching it. This is an urban neighborhood. Roosters are illegal, and this poor fella was dumped here by somebody who didn't give a hoot about it or our neighborhood.

Thank you to everyone else who has helped me as I joined this wonderful adventure of having backyard chickens>

edited by staff

He is a beautiful rooster.

 

[LauraSac]

A killer roaming the neighborhood. I'd use a .177 caliber pellet air rifle.

Some people have talked about that, but really, it's up to the people whose yards he goes into. The only time you're allowed to use a pellet gun is on a nuisance animal on your own property, and he's that, but their hope is to trap him. Chickens are the only livestock allowed in city limits, but our city shelter has relationships with the farm animal sanctuaries, as well as with the local SPCA which is outside the city and adopts out chickens and goats. They've said they would find him a home if he can be trapped. I know trapping and finding a home for him probably sounds silly, but that's really the goal. A lot of work for one rooster.

 

[lightchick]

Some people have talked about that, but really, it's up to the people whose yards he goes into. The only time you're allowed to use a pellet gun is on a nuisance animal on your own property, and he's that, but their hope is to trap him. Chickens are the only livestock allowed in city limits, but our city shelter has relationships with the farm animal sanctuaries, as well as with the local SPCA which is outside the city and adopts out chickens and goats. They've said they would find him a home if he can be trapped. I know trapping and finding a home for him probably sounds silly, but that's really the goal. A lot of work for one rooster.

I'd just put a trap where he hangs out the most and put scratch in it.
If other people have been feeding him then he'll probably fall for it.

 

[LauraSac]

He is a beautiful rooster.

I know! He's gorgeous. If I can, I'll get better photo of him just to show you how pretty he is. It's amazing how high he gets in the trees, too. That's one of the reasons he's so hard to catch. He's quite the flyer. I wish he were a protector instead of an aggressor. It'd be nice to keep him around. Some people hate him for the noise only, though. I guess when you live in a city, you aren't wanting to be woken up by a rooster.