First challenge by alpha rooster.

[aart]

Just because the rooster is aggressive. Doesn't mean it's a bad rooster. It's only doing its job. Protecting his position and his ladies. I once watched a falcon come flying by over my rooster and pounce on one of the hens. My "aggressive rooster" didn't flea and head for the hills. He ran towards the falcon rammed it! The falcon went flying off dazed what just happened. You guys need to stop fearing aggressive roosters like they are a threat to society. They are only doing their job. We need to remember chickens aren't just senseless animals, they are just like any other pet. It's like putting a guard dog down for biting a robber. Yeah they can scratch you. That's why you routinely clip their claws. If you have kids. Keep the rooster in an enclosure or keep an I on the child.

Human aggressive roosters are a PITA...
NON human aggressive roosters can protect the flock too, they're actually smarter - knowing what is a threat and what is not.

 

[donrae]

John, we'll just agree to disagree on that. My POV is....no animal attacks me. Period.

 

[Folly's place]

I want my roosters to take care of their ladies, and watch out for actual threats to the flock. They can't be wasting their time stalking the huge individuals who bring food daily! Mary

 

[John Roth]

And both non aggressive/ aggressive roosters will do that. It's just your decision to make. But don't hesitate and throw him off right away give it a shot first. I see now my last post looked like I was mad haha, I'm not just throwing out my opinion

 

[BBStacker]

Thanks for the discussion. Just for an update, beta seems to be stepping up as well. Still no fights between the two that I've observed but both do breed in eachother's presence (argument from the hens who run off but not each other). When I hear them crow (they crow together), I'll crow back and they all come running. Alpha still drops his wing but will run off as soon as I charge him. When I do catch him I cqrry him around. If he won't stay in my arms, i immediately put him on his side and stare him in the eye. When I'm bored with that, I'll put him in the squat position until he stays when I relax my grip, let go, and walk off. He'll stay a bit longer then walk off. First flogging though, he'll either go to a friend of a friend's flock or the crockpot. I don't have the killer's or butcher's heart yet. Maybe if he becomes a danger, then I will but for now, I've got my childhood experience going against me that says, "killing is bad and gross, don't do it." Mentally I say it's ok for food. Emotionally, I just want to cry and told my husband that I'll hunt with him but he guts my kill and drags it to the truck. I imagine he'll have to kill and gut the rooster in my presence to help desensitize me to the task. When I learn to do it, we'll teach the girls (soon to be 11 and 8) so they don't have my problem later in life. Also teaches them where their food comes from too.

 

[BBStacker]

Today, Alpha deliberately attacked my sandal/toe twice before I cornered him and a third time just before I picked him up. After I picked him up, he pecked at my hand so I held him upside down until he calmed down (a few seconds) and I held him on his side to stare him down the eye for at least 2 mins but it felt like 5. I gave my kids a lecture that they are not to handle the rooster that way and if he attacks them, they are to stand their friend and kick him then let me know. At that time, he's either leaving the flock to join a new one or going in the pot :-(. Hopefully beta won't be as human aggressive as I fear alpha may become.

 

[henless]

If he is already attacking you, it would be safer if your kids weren't anywhere he could get to them. All it takes is one good strike, and your child could lose an eye or become severely injured and/or disfigured.

 

[Folly's place]

Alpha is already human aggressive and needs to go. Mary

 

[BBStacker]

With the decision already getting closer to axe alpha, what's a good rooster breed to blend with production reds/RIRs that isn't as likely to turn human aggressive (I've been watching for human aggression since I heard their breed is aggressive) if beta turns too?

Beta is starting to show the wing drop towards me now. I think I'm going to see what happens when I ignore it coming from beta. Alpha will continue to get the current treatment until he either shapes up or goes away (he'll be the one to go if alpha and beta turn on each other but I'm now wondering if my actions may instigate a rooster vs rooster battle which hasn't happened yet.

 

[aart]

With the decision already getting closer to axe alpha, what's a good rooster breed to blend with production reds/RIRs that isn't as likely to turn human aggressive (I've been watching for human aggression since I heard their breed is aggressive) if beta turns too?

Beta is starting to show the wing drop towards me now. I think I'm going to see what happens when I ignore it coming from beta. Alpha will continue to get the current treatment until he either shapes up or goes away (he'll be the one to go if alpha and beta turn on each other but I'm now wondering if my actions may instigate a rooster vs rooster battle which hasn't happened yet.

It's not about breed so much as individuals and genetic lines.
It is possible to find a nicely behaved adult cock bird that is an extra in someone's flock but too nice to eat.