does this roo have to go?

[Leah S]

"chigger bait", that sounds much like a story my father has shared with me. Said he and his brothers and sisters had to RUN from the bus stop to the front door because the roo was waiting for them, every afternoon. It horrified him as a small child. But they had it for dinner after it went after my grandfather. My dad says it was the worst meal my grandmother ever made! it was so tough that no one could eat it. Was mean up to the end!
by the way my husband's aunt lives in Jonesborough, lovely place!

 

[kgdubois]

funny story, chiggerbait!

My parents had over 70 chickens when I was growing up, and my chores included gathering eggs two times a day. I was around 3 or 4 years old, and one of the roosters would flog the crud out of me every time I went down there. My father would get really upset with me for crying & complaining about it, but one day he FINALLY saw how horrible the attack was, and killed that dang rooster right then & there! The only thing he had to hand was a broom (he happened to be sweeping out the barn) and he whacked that old nasty thing until it was dead. I remember that happening very clearly, and I was sooooo happy that I could gather my eggs without getting the crud whacked out of me by the rooster

 

[RedIII]

Wow, it's almost surprising how nasty some roosters can get. Mean little dinosaurs.

OP, sorry that you have/had to do in your rooster, but I agree that the safety of children comes first. In your situation I would love to give the rooster the benefit of the doubt and say that it was something other than him charging your little boy, but I can understand not taking any chances. If it were my bird and my son, I'd either be sending the roo to freezer camp or else re-homing him somewhere that doesn't have children, ASAP. Good luck with getting it taken care of!

 

[kareninthesun]

love this story!

 

[bobbi-j]

I've gone through the aggressive rooster troubles, too. Still going throught it, daily, I'm afraid. Advice to me was "send 'em to freezer camp," but we do not kill any of our animals, although I'm afraid I might accidently whap one in the head out of anger when it flogs me. Our Silkies are sweet and never had one challange me, but the bantam roosters are a bunch of thugs. Is it because I have too many roosters to ratio of hens? I have to carry a long stick when I go out and wave it behind my back as I walk, and I still sometimes get hit in the leg. Then the little criminal runs away before I can grab him. I get them at roost time, carry them around, hold 'em upside down for a few seconds, whatever I can think of to make them think twice the next time, but their memory seems short. A water gun seems to help when they start to come after me. But the enjoyment of walking among my chickens is a trail. I wish I could get bantam Ameracauna pullet chicks, but they only come straight run, and that's where all the roosters come from! Aaaiieee!

Wow. I have chickens for the enjoyment of having chickens. If I had to carry a stick or worry about getting attacked every time I went out to do chores... Well, let's just say I'm not as patient as you are. They would get butchered. I know you stated that you don't kill any of your animals. If that's the case, why not find them a new home? You would have to do so, of course, realizing that once they leave your place it would be best not to ask what happened to them. But at least you could enjoy the chickens you have left. Your choice entirely, but I sure wouldn't put up with it. Life's too short to let a bunch of little feathered thugs take away your joy of owning chickens.

 

[riverpilot69]

It is not only roosters that do this. I have a hen who has recently decided that she is the boss. She has always been docile and used to come and sit in my lap for a petting session. As of lately, she pecks at my leg when I go out in the back yard. I have nudged her with my foot and she puffs up and will not back down. I am going to try a water gun and see if that does anything. I have 2 young children and I can handle the hen but don't think that the kids can. This is my favorite hen but if she keeps it up she will be hugging some dumplings. I have thought of getting a roo to see if he can keep the hen in check. I am not sure if this will work or not, but I am willing to try it before she becomes dinner. Any suggestions?
Didn't mean to hijack your thread, but this seems to fit in here rather than starting a new topic.

 

[sourland]

Riverpilot, when the hen comes up to you force her gently but firmly o the ground. Place one hand on her back and use the other to force her head down. Hold her there until she stops struggling, wait a bit then release. If she repeats her behavior, immediately subordinate her again. This may work. She just does not think that you are dominant to her - adjust her attitude.

 

[chickathon]

It is not only roosters that do this. I have a hen who has recently decided that she is the boss. She has always been docile and used to come and sit in my lap for a petting session. As of lately, she pecks at my leg when I go out in the back yard. I have nudged her with my foot and she puffs up and will not back down. I am going to try a water gun and see if that does anything. I have 2 young children and I can handle the hen but don't think that the kids can. This is my favorite hen but if she keeps it up she will be hugging some dumplings. I have thought of getting a roo to see if he can keep the hen in check. I am not sure if this will work or not, but I am willing to try it before she becomes dinner. Any suggestions?
Didn't mean to hijack your thread, but this seems to fit in here rather than starting a new topic.

I really think a roo would help. Hens without a roo have to find the boss among themselves . Everything needs a head honcho. I would get a fully mature one that way you know his attitude. There is always someone needing to cull out some roos. My barred rock roo is a gentleman and eats treats out of my kids hands. But won't allow any of the others to fight. Even the other two roos that have hatched out this past summer. He is the ultimate peace maker. A rhode island red is a bad choice, mean little buggers!

 

[riverpilot69]

I really think a roo would help. Hens without a roo have to find the boss among themselves . Everything needs a head honcho. I would get a fully mature one that way you know his attitude. There is always someone needing to cull out some roos. My barred rock roo is a gentleman and eats treats out of my kids hands. But won't allow any of the others to fight. Even the other two roos that have hatched out this past summer. He is the ultimate peace maker. A rhode island red is a bad choice, mean little buggers!

Thanks for the info. I have decided to try a rooster and see if he can keep the girls in line. I will look for a bantam at the local livestock swap. May work, may not, but you won't know unless you try.

 

[thumper29a]

yes my roo is also agressive but only when he has access to hens or if he is caged,if he's free in yard and girl are in coop he's sweet and will let you hold him but coop him up or try and get near his girl or her eggs THEN ITS ON! dont turn your back on him ,lol but he never really hurt anyone just scared ,if i hold something big in my hand when he's mad like a snow shovel but never hit him he dont want no part of it.