everyone warned me about roosters . . .

[gryeyes]

I am not arguing with anyone here. I just want to warn ya about chasing roosters - that's not really a good tactic at all. It makes 'em MORE aggressive, because it triggers a challenge. He will always want to "best" you - or anyone who chases him!

I walk deliberately toward the rooster until he turns away, which is a sign of submission. I don't run, or chase. Just walk. And as soon as the roo turns away, it's over. I don't follow him any more. I don't stop abruptly, I will take another step and stop, just looking at the rooster for a few seconds.

But I don't have kids.

 

[mchl]

I like mine fried

 

[The Lisser]

Quote:
No argument taken. I didn't know this. Maybe that's why he in particular went after her - because she's ALWAYS running. She can't help it, she just can't stay still. He must view her as more of a challenge. I don't chase the roosters as a rule - i just chased him cuz I was really mad that he hurt her and I was going to pick him up. Generally we spend quite a bit of time with the "fowl" and until recently have had no problems with them.

We are planning to build a run and let the boys and girls take turns having free range time. If we can't get him to stop going after her, he will become dinner.

Do you think he might mess with the llamas or goats? These are our first chickens. I don't want to have injured livestock.

Thanks everyone for your answers.

 

[bburn]

The thought of freezer camp is hard.....but they sure taste good.

I have three roosters left. The difference for me is mine are all in pens. The Barred Rock just got his girls a couple of weeks ago. (after a longer than necessary quarantine). The last couple of days when my 10 yo DGD goes out there he is posturing at her...through the fence. He has never come at me and I am the only one that usually goes in there. I try to keep everyone else out. Because he knows I bring the food and treats he usually just chatters at me. But because they can get mean I have kept all little people out and try to keep my DH out as well as my DSS. They don't always listen to me.

I just know they are animals. There are reasons for the things they do. In my case I KNOW it is because he is taking care of his girls. He is really good to the hens and to the pullets that are his.

The other rooster that has hens is really the same way with everyone else. I don't go into his pen unless I have thrown out treats for them. I don't want to have something happen that would make me have to get rid of him. I can go into the coop when ever I want but if he tries to come in I keep an old broom there to block him from coming in. He just turns around and goes away. Never have gotten aggressive with him nor has he with me.

I would really be scared to let either of my DGG's go in the pen. It is like the roosters know she is smaller. The third rooster is in a pen by himself....I hate it for him but he and the one rooster got in a fight and I knew it was not going to stop.....so now I am looking for some girls for him. In fact three cochin hens (LF) are on my list for Christmas. They'll will never find them because I have been looking for a couple of months. May just get hens that are a good size and call it good.

Keep your roosters away from your little ones.....you never know.

 

[lightfoot]

Quote:
x2

 

[michickenwrangler]

If either of our roosters went after our daughter's toes, they wouldn't live much beyond that. The only reason we have roosters is because they haven't attacked anyone. Once they do ... they die.

 

[sourland]

Waiting until permanent damage has been done to a child's eyes or face is waiting too long. Aggressive roosters and small children do not mix. It's not worth the risk.

 

[Tala]

I think your kid playing with the roos is a bad idea. Sure we like the idea of cuddly pets, but roosters just aren't cuddly pets. There are some exceptions, but as a rule roos are protectors not cuddlers.
My best roos are the ones who I DO NOT handle or play with except as needed to maintain their health (lice treatments, etc). They like me, and come running to the driveway when I pull up, because they expect treats, but they respectfully stay a few feet away from me just like they would with an alpha roo.

I say pen the roos away from your kids, or eat them. "Friendly" roos are more dangerous than shy ones.

 

[Junkmanme]

No kids here. ALL are grown. But IF that happened to me...(with kids)....the Rooster wouldn't live another 1/2 hour.

My MAIN ROOSTER is about 1/2 MEAN. I don't let anyone around him. He has attacked me 4 or 5 times. I "knocked him OUT" twice.
He is still VERY "protective" of HIS territory. I don't "confront him". He quietly sidesteps me, usually.

He's on "thin-ice" as far as I'm concerned. I've got "frozen turkeys" ready to smoke for Thanksgiving....But Christmas is another story.

IF you aren't using the roosters.....EAT THEM !!!

just my 2 pesos worth,
-Junkmanme-

 

[Judy]

Quote:
He will be willing to mess with anything.

So you are still considering keeping him, in spite of the threat to a child, and all the opinions on here? What about the day your back is turned, and she decides she wants to play with him again, just one more time?

You are talking about raging hormones. An adult may be willing to try training and handling a roo full of hormones, but a child is not going to understand the reasoning or the risk. And it's a long way from the ground up to an adult's eyes.