Do i keep him?

[Iaseye]

This is ROBBIE, A rhode island red roo.

So first time raising chickens, was hoping to have all hens. Turns out we've had a few roosters gave them away. I have this guy left, 14 weeks now. He has always been my favorite and is sweet TO ME however I worry about the kids. Am I going to have an issue with him attacking my kids? He pecked my husband yesterday so now I'm rethinking this. What's your story with roosters?

 

[3KillerBs]

If these are your first chickens and you have children around you should probably go all hens for at least the first year while you gain experience with handling chickens.

His boldness with people could indicate a lack of proper respect.

 

[Iaseye]

If these are your first chickens and you have children around you should probably go all hens for at least the first year while you gain experience with handling chickens.

His boldness with people could indicate a lack of proper respect.

When I found out he was a roo I was very sad and have done everything in my power to keep him happy. He is bold, he loves taking selfies with me too. My son is 7 and this was his "girl" and named her Rosie. I have an attachment to him but I know deep down he will make a mistake and I just rather not have it happen. I'm sad to see him go.

 

[Battlepants]

A bit of clarification on that peck - was this more of a "trying to grab some food" kinda peck? Or "attack" kinda peck?

The reason I ask is that my flock pecks me all the time, but this is because I often walk through the tall grass and end up with burrs covering me. I let them clean me off, but this technically involves quite a lot of pecking.

 

[3KillerBs]

When I found out he was a roo I was very sad and have done everything in my power to keep him happy. He is bold, he loves taking selfies with me too. My son is 7 and this was his "girl" and named her Rosie. I have an attachment to him but I know deep down he will make a mistake and I just rather not have it happen. I'm sad to see him go.

Unfortunately, it's those friendly pet cockerels who are apt to become complete monsters when they hit the hormonal stage.

They end up not having the necessary respect for humans and think of them as either rival males to be fought or hens to be brought into line.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree with Killer.
'Friendly' is often actually 'bold', and then aggression towards the humans who seem to be flock members. I want cockerels who spend their time with their flockmates, and also who live in a mixed age flock, so the hens and adult roosters can teach them manners.
And while rooster behavior is individual, RIRs seem to have more human aggressive males than some breeds.
Mary

 

[Iaseye]

A bit of clarification on that peck - was this more of a "trying to grab some food" kinda peck? Or "attack" kinda peck?

The reason I ask is that my flock pecks me all the time, but this is because I often walk through the tall grass and end up with burrs covering me. I let them clean me off, but this technically involves quite a lot of pecking.

He put his hand out to pet him (like I do) and Robbie pecked him in the webbed skin between thumb and pointer finger. Lol I mean I laughed because they are MY friends and Robbie comes right up and let's me hold him. However it won't be funny if he pecks the kiddos

 

[Iaseye]

Unfortunately, it's those friendly pet cockerels who are apt to become complete monsters when they hit the hormonal stage.

They end up not having the necessary respect for humans and think of them as either rival males to be fought or hens to be brought into line.

So is he at the hormonal stage now?

 

[Battlepants]

He put his hand out to pet him (like I do) and Robbie pecked him in the webbed skin between thumb and pointer finger. Lol I mean I laughed because they are MY friends and Robbie comes right up and let's me hold him. However it won't be funny if he pecks the kiddos

Yea, that definitely sounds risky to let the kids be near this one. At the very least, keep the kids out of the pen for their safety in case he does turn (flying spur vs a short persons face is no joke). I'd probably go with the wait-and-see approach coupled with trying to dominate over him to see if the behavior can be controlled.

For breaking him, whenever your husband is near Robbie, have him walk right through Robbie every time (obviously try to not step on him, but make no concessions for Robbies personal space). I've also heard some success with simply grabbing the roo and parading him around in front of his hens to knock down his ego a bit.

Of side note - every family member that will be interacting with him will need to dominate over him to continue to keep him subdued. If he does turn violent and potentially has access to where your kids will be playing, it may be best to just get rid of him.

 

[Iaseye]

Yea, that definitely sounds risky to let the kids be near this one. At the very least, keep the kids out of the pen for their safety in case he does turn (flying spur vs a short persons face is no joke). I'd probably go with the wait-and-see approach coupled with trying to dominate over him to see if the behavior can be controlled.

For breaking him, whenever your husband is near Robbie, have him walk right through Robbie every time (obviously try to not step on him, but make no concessions for Robbies personal space). I've also heard some success with simply grabbing the roo and parading him around in front of his hens to knock down his ego a bit.

Well for starters these are backyard chickens so during the day they are free roaming and Robbie does sit on my son's lap without an issue. He also doesn't have any spurs yet but his beak is super hard now and that's got me stressing. I'll do the wait and see approach.

I'll also relay the message to my husband.