Do I want this rooster? Update: He killed a hen Update: Sunday

[DDRanch]

Thank you all for your condolences and your heartfelt sorrow. I am still stunned and so sad. My Delawares are the most
passive hens in my little flock. She was the 3rd behind him as they walked up the hill. Not a mark on her, not a feather lost.
I think he broke her neck. I will bury her this afternoon.

He will be gone before dark.

Anne

 

[molly d]

I'm so sorry this has happened! It's especially heartbreaking because it started out so well. I hope that whatever you choose to do with the rooster, you are able to find peace with all of it somehow. Enjoy the company of your girls, and cherish the fond memories of the one you lost.

 

[happyhens44]

thats sad, he seemed so sweet im so sorry yah he should go. But one question... how are you going to ger rid of him, he ALWAYS comes back I though?

 

[4 Love of Baby Chickens]

I am SO sorry!!!

That roo would've been in the pot if he was here. Of course Rusty would've torn him apart before letting him near his girls.

A BR roo I had back in '08 broke a silver penciled Brahma pullet named Feather, a light gray Batnam named Little Mama, and a Standard splash Cochin pullet named Splash.

I was pretty upset and mad at Sal. But he was only 6 or 7 months old. After that he was very gentle with his girls. But I ended up selling him for $10.00 because he was starting to tear the feathers off the hens backs like crazy and the hens weren't to happy. Last I heard he is happily living with over 50 hens on a big farm.

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Holy....wow. I'm so sorry for your loss. I feel partially responsible for giving him so much credit although I didn't know him, and saying how it was okay for you to let him join your flock. I've had tons of aggressive roosters over the years but none that have killed. I've even had a few bad boys who have saved hens from predators. No, this is not acceptable. I'm so sorry your experience with roosters turned out like this. Bare in mind that this does not usually happen in the average flock. You cannot trust him near your females.

I'm so sorry again. I just felt my heart drop into my stomach as soon as I read the title. How unexpected. How horrible.

I agree with Speckledhen. He has to go. Your flock was most obviously better off before he came around, looking so happy and healthy in the early photos. They don't need something like that leading their flock blindly. And you don't need the heartbreak. It could happen again. Get rid of him.

 

[DDRanch]

Quote:
thank you. Your words are very comforting.

 

[DDRanch]

Quote:
thank you for your kind words.

 

[DDRanch]

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Please do not feel any responsibility for even one moment. I gave him a lot of credit as well and sought the good and sound advice of this board and my chicken friend who has had roosters for decades. I saw not one moment of aggression towards the hens or me (except for the anxiety I caused in the beginning) but I don't believe there were any other signs. I have been watching and monitoring closely for almost a week now. I agree that I cannot trust him and will not keep him. He goes.
Anne

 

[speckledhen]

It is unusual for any rooster to actually kill a hen, but it happens. He is apparently just too rough for your girls and there are plenty of other roosters who won't hurt your girls. I'm so sorry about your hen--I love my Delaware ladies.

 

[angelique_redhead]

I'm so sorry to hear about your hen. Is he going to freezer camp? *HUGS*

: Angelique