continuing to have troble with roo. :(

[Eggstra New]

I'm still stewing over weather or not to keep my roo. I posted a few weeks ago about him starting to charge me in the coop. I've gotten after him a couple of times! On Sunday he actually made contact and bit me hard. I have a big black and blue pinch welt.

I was just reaching for the eggs. He was outside in the yard and he flew in and grabbed me. He's beautiful and at this point I don't want any more little babies, but he would make some beauties I think if I ever decided. However at this point I'm afraid to reach in the coop. If I go in the yard he doesn't bother me, it's only in the coop. Which is not a big walk in coop it's only 4x4 up off the ground so when he's coming in there, he's coming at my torso. Yikes guys I don't know what to do. I know everyone talks about roos helping with the hens and such. But I just don't like being scared.

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

I would be stewing too, but it wouldn't be over whether to keep him or not. Seriously though I would get rid of him or eat him. I'm not having anything around that I'm scared of. There are plenty of nice roos around with better behavior. As for breeding him you really don't want to pass on the aggressive trait to any offspring. If you want chicks later find another roo. No matter how nice looking a roo may be if he has a bad temperament he is not suitable for breeding. If you decide to re-home him please let the future owners know about how he acts, especially if they have children.

 

[Kev]

If he is ruining YOUR pleasure in keeping chickens, then that is good enough reason to get rid of him. My chickens are a hobby to me, so I don't tolerate any roosters with attitudes. So roosters here really get only one chance.. Plus aggression is genetic(some will try to deny this and say it's how they are raised.. but it still is genetic)- another reason I won't keep mean roosters, so they won't make more mean sons!

Some lines I've had and bred for generations.. including big turkens. My nephews and cousins(5-10 yrs old) can chase and pick them up with no worries of them getting attacked or even bitten at all when caught. Not even from the biggest rooster. One of my nephews is a little fearful, yet he will go and catch this rooster and pose for pictures with him. He's so proud for being so brave.....

This is a result of not tolerating and breeding any roosters that EVEN so much as "charge" at me without biting.

You really do not need a rooster. Some believe they protect the hens, but then... if the rooster's idea of 'protecting' includes attacking the very person who brings his hens (and his mean self) food and water...? It's simply nonsense brought too far. It's true there are plenty of gentleman roosters, go ahead and look for another one if you want.. but if you only had a rooster because of people saying they protect the hens etc.. really, you do not need a a rooster. Get rid of this one however you want.. butchering or giving to someone to EAT would be best.. because this prevents dumping "your problem on someone else" if he went to a new home.. but if you go this way, please at least let them know he has attacked and is the reason you're getting rid of him.

 

[HeatherLynn]

Mean roosters make very good soup.

 

[Eggstra New]

Thank you all for the support. Not to worry, the man I would take him to will trade me a laying hen for my roo and the roo will be eaten not kept as a pet. I just can't eat the roo myself. Don't really mind if someone else eats him! LOL! Thanks again. I'm planning on taking him this afternoon after I get up. Night shifter you know.

 

[Mahonri]

Glad you are getting rid of him. I simply do NOT tolerate any roo who will attack.

 

[teach1rusl]

Good choice, cause' Kev said it all; When it's ruining the joy of keeping chickens, something's got to give.

 

[lauralou]

Good for you. Once he's gone, you can enjoy your hens so much more.

Been there.

 

[bakerjw]

Very good advice. If it takes the fun out of it then it isn't fun. And a hearty +1 to not breeding roosters with aggressive traits. I don't know if any of my White Leghorns are roos yet but if they are and get aggressive then there'll be some roosoup in our house.

 

[Eggstra New]

Roo GONE! Was gonna trade for a hen, but decided I didn't want to deal with an introduction. My last one went so terrible! Pumping myself up to introduce the chicks in a month or so anyways so I think that'll be enough stress. At least the roo is gone and I'm not afraid of the coop anymore.