Fed up with Fred the Rooster!!

[donrae]

Honestly, why are you keeping this rooster? Not meant sarcastically, but what are your reasons? Not for a rooster in general, but for this specific animal. Cause he's pretty? Cause you've raised him this far and feed you're obligated to keep him for the rest of his life? From what you've said he's not invaluable breeding stock (and shouldn't be bred with temperament/stupidity issues anyway) and I'm not seeing any other reason except maybe habit/obligation.

You've already given him so many more chances than he'd have had here. I think you're at the point where the rooster isn't just aggressive, he's apparently dumb as well. Seriously, if someone booted me like that, I'd keep a wide berth around them....if he's not smart enough to figure that out.......there's a prime example of the phrase "too stupid to live"

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[Jackschicks]

I had a similar rooster - raised him from a baby, beautiful bird, great protector of the hens - but just could't get it through his head not to attack people. His name was Mean Old B@$+@^% !! Tried quite a few different things to adjust his attitude without success.

He was great cooked in the crockpot over some egg noodles. After being flogged by him sooo many times, I enjoyed every bite!

 

[pfields]

An old timer once told me to hit a bad bird upside the head with a broom handle if he was attacking you. After that he shouldn't give you any more trouble. Sorry to be blunt but those old farmers know a lot about raising birds.

I tried that and thought I had killed him. It won't work. I gave my rooster too many chances. Early one morning while filling the feeders he got me from behind. One of his spurs went to the bone in the front of my right leg and the other left a gash on the back on that leg. I quickly filled the other feeder and he met me again, this time I kicked out my left leg to get him to stop and he spurred that leg to the bone in the front and under my ankle. When I finally got away from him my husband took one look and took me to the ER for antibiotic shot and pain meds. My left foot swelled so much I had to use crutches to get around for two days. That was this past May and I can still press on those scars and feel pain.

 

[microchick]

I can remember way back to when I was 20ish and learning to ride my horse. My father, who served pre WWII in the calvary (The real calvary when Calvary meant you were on a horse instead of a jeep) and did competitive acrobatic riding (pyramid, chariot, etc) and jumping, was a tough teacher. The first time my horse decided that she didn't want me on her back anymore and dumped me on my backside, I remember Dad helping me up and handing me the reins saying: " You are not a horseman until you get bucked off for the first time and then get back on your horse". I did just that and never got bucked off again.

I think it's sorta kinda the same way with chickens. Having a mean, onery, stupid rooster to deal with should be part of the official orientation to owning and raising a flock. I think we have probably all done it at one time or another and are members in good standing of that club.

Lot's of good advice here. I'm afraid that your rooster isn't going to change at this point in time. I had three Buff O roosters. One was supposed to be a hen and he turned out to be the best of the three. Even he had his moments growing up, though. Once or twice he pecked me hard and one day he caught me in the right bad mood. The next thing he knew I had him pinned to the ground and was flipping him on the back of the head with my fingers and demanding to know how HE liked being pecked! Naturally he didn't know what the heck I was saying but the pops on the back of his head must have hit a nerve because from that day on Red Fred was and has been a sweet heart of a rooster. The other two never responded to behavior modification and went bye bye last week. I think owing roosters is a crap shoot. Either you get a good one or one that is destined to be invited to Sunday dinner. If they do not respond right away to behavior modification, it isn't going to happen no matter how much time you give them.

Life is too short to be terrorized by a rooster. You should be able to go out in your own yard with out being attacked by any one of your flock. He has set himself up as boss over you and your family. Unacceptable. Like my two bad boys, time to go away.

 

[pfields]

Agree, to this day my sister has a scar on her face from my grandmother's rooster. She almost lost an eye from that attack. When we would visit her, we would have to stay in the car until grandma put the rooster in the pen. That wasn't very welcoming. Even my mom was afraid of that rooster.

It's not fun when you have go inside the your run and constantly worry about the rooster getting you and it hurts when they do. I have one BO rooster now that's 8 months old and so far he's been nice. If he try to attack me even once he's gone. He does warn us of hawks but we've been putting up netting over our whole backyard to prevent a hawk attack.

 

[myhenSunrise]

I have one some young Roos (three that are for sale or are unfortunately being shipped to oven town) three that I'm keeping, a banty and two wyandottes ( all about 4-5 months ). My gold Wyandotte, Jace, used to bite, but I looked up some threads about 'training' roosters, and he has quit, he now prefers to be petted or rubbed on his chest while on the roost.

 

[Lady Grey]

I'd love to have a nice rooster someday, but for the time being, the landlord (who lives on the property) says absolutely not!! I just looked up a video of a rooster attack on youtube, and that's scary! If I ever get my rooster, I will be very careful about choosing him!

 

[pfields]

Yes, it hurts and even more after the swelling starts.

 

[Jmamachick]

Wow, I have read a bunch of your stories and I an definitely taking your advice. Thank you for all the information, your stories and pictures! To answer donrae's question: We were keeping him a bit longer because: yes, he is very pretty and he keeps the hens safe. Those are the only 2 reasons. At first I really didn't want to hurt him, kill or cook him. But right now i'm at the point where I really hate him so much I don't want him anymore. It makes me sad but I understand that it is what it is and there is no way i'm being bullied by a chicken. I hope that everyone that got hurt by a rooster is ok, especially the pictures that I have seen. I don't exactly know how to get the rooster from the yard to the dinner, but i'm going to Google it and figure it out! Thank YOU to all of you that responded to my thread, I do appreciate all the information. If I ever have any more questions I will be getting right back on this and ask. Fred will be good eating!

 

[donrae]

Mean Roosters Taste Better

I'm a sucker for a pretty rooster myself, but he's got to be a gentleman. After you get rid of Fred, if you decide later on to get another rooster for warning/protection, they're easy to pick up and not too difficult to add to the flock. A bonus to doing that....your hens will be mature and you can select a younger cockerel. A young male that gets his butt kicked by a bunch of old ladies is usually a more respectful guy to the flock, and often to people also.

We have a great Meat Bird section that talks about processing your bird and preparing him for the table. There are also some great youtube videos that walk you through it. The first bird can be pretty rough, especially when it had a name. But just think about how nice it will be to enjoy your ladies without all the drama!