First Rooster Experience- Advice

[chickpack2024]

This is my first time owning chickens. We have 3 hens a surprise black sex link rooster (got in the barred rock bin at TSC). We actually had another rooster (same bin) who got taken by a hawk at about 11 weeks. They are all 6 months old and two are laying. . . and 4 more chicks in a brooder, getting ready to be added to the flock.

As someone who is new to this, the rooster thing has been tough. He's pretty good with me and the hens. He takes care of them and isn't rough. He's jumped on my back (not hurt me) when I turned around, and tried to jump on me in the garden once.

HOWEVER, he always charges my 11 year old. My son is now terrified to go in the yard if the birds are out. He flew at my husband and scratched his leg quite deeply. Worst, I think, my dogs are terrified to go outside because if the rooster sees them, he attacks, he's pecked them, jumped on them, chases them, and they are small dogs (about the same size as the rooster) and terrified.

It's kind of ironic because I was so worried the dogs would be aggressive to the chickens, but it's the other way around, who knew.

I have already decided we are just not ready to have a rooster. I am disappointed because 1) we have a lot of predators, and he is tough and intimidating. He's a big guy, and in this case it's been both good and bad. 2) I am worried about the adding of our new chicks in a few weeks because we won't have a rooster to keep the peace. I am also sad because I found someone who is taking the rooster but I suspect it's probably just for dinner.

I'll take any advice on adding 4 eight week old hens to a group of 3 7 month old hens. I've read about it, but just worried since we won't have a rooter.

My husband (who was raised with chickens and other livestock) keeps reassuring me--I gave the rooster a great life for 6 months, everything will be more peaceful when he's gone, etc. But this sucks.

 

[swamphiker]

I'm sorry your rooster hasn't been working out. Their personalities can vary quite a bit between individuals, so if you would still like a rooster it could be worth trying out a different one. I currently have a speckled Sussex rooster who is pretty docile and prefers to run away from humans rather than challenge them; he also stays well clear of the dog. The one time he came at me, I kicked him away and he hasn't done it since.

Integration of new pullets is similar with or without a rooster. As long as everyone has sufficient space and access to food and water, I doubt you'll have any problems.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have already decided we are just not ready to have a rooster.

I think you are making the right decision for this specific cockerel. Once they become human aggressive I never trust them again, even if you "tame" them. I had a bad experience with that once. That does not mean another boy will or will not become human aggressive. You never know.

But he was an accident to begin with. Many people are happy to have an all-girls flock, even if they free range. The only reason you need a male is if you want fertile eggs, anything else is a preference. Before I locked mine inside electric netting I had two different dog attacks that cost me a total of 13 chickens. Both times the rooster was not hurt. In some cases a rooster might help but having one is not a guarantee. If giving him up hurts you as much as you say then you probably don't need another male.

I'll take any advice on adding 4 eight week old hens to a group of 3 7 month old hens. I've read about it, but just worried since we won't have a rooster.

I don't know what methods you've read about but I agree. Whether or not you have a rooster with the older girls probably won't make any difference.

My husband (who was raised with chickens and other livestock) keeps reassuring me--I gave the rooster a great life for 6 months, everything will be more peaceful when he's gone, etc.

He is a wise man. You may even find yourself agreeing with him after a short while.

Good luck!

 

[red horse ranch]

I'll start off by saying I love roosters! I used to have up to 7 of them at a time when I raised a lot of chickens. But there are good ones and bad ones. It sounds like you have a people aggressive rooster and he needs to go! Becoming a meal for someone else seems to be the best outcome for this particular rooster.

The breed can make a huge difference. I have found Wyandotte and Orpington roosters to usually be good ones. And most Australorps. I have 2 Cream Legbar roosters right now and they are really good roosters. But there can be differences in roosters of the same breed. All roosters can be a little difficult when they get that first rush of hormones around 3 to 4 months old. If they haven't settled down by 6 months old they become supper.

One thing to be aware of when raising a male from a chick is not to make a pet of them. They need to respect you and keep their distance from you if they are to become acceptable roosters. And that was always the hardest part for me.

Don't give up on having a rooster. If you find a good one he will be a pleasure to have.

 

[chickpack2024]

I think you are making the right decision for this specific cockerel. Once they become human aggressive I never trust them again, even if you "tame" them. I had a bad experience with that once. That does not mean another boy will or will not become human aggressive. You never know.

But he was an accident to begin with. Many people are happy to have an all-girls flock, even if they free range. The only reason you need a male is if you want fertile eggs, anything else is a preference. Before I locked mine inside electric netting I had two different dog attacks that cost me a total of 13 chickens. Both times the rooster was not hurt. In some cases a rooster might help but having one is not a guarantee. If giving him up hurts you as much as you say then you probably don't need another male.


I don't know what methods you've read about but I agree. Whether or not you have a rooster with the older girls probably won't make any difference.


He is a wise man. You may even find yourself agreeing with him after a short while.

Good luck!

I think you are making the right decision for this specific cockerel. Once they become human aggressive I never trust them again, even if you "tame" them. I had a bad experience with that once. That does not mean another boy will or will not become human aggressive. You never know.

I think you are making the right decision for this specific cockerel. Once they become human aggressive I never trust them again, even if you "tame" them. I had a bad experience with that once. That does not mean another boy will or will not become human aggressive. You never know.

But he was an accident to begin with. Many people are happy to have an all-girls flock, even if they free range. The only reason you need a male is if you want fertile eggs, anything else is a preference. Before I locked mine inside electric netting I had two different dog attacks that cost me a total of 13 chickens. Both times the rooster was not hurt. In some cases a rooster might help but having one is not a guarantee. If giving him up hurts you as much as you say then you probably don't need another male.


I don't know what methods you've read about but I agree. Whether or not you have a rooster with the older girls probably won't make any difference.


He is a wise man. You may even find yourself agreeing with him after a short while.

Good luck!

Thanks for this--I have read so many pro-rooster taming ideas, and I just keep thinking it's impossible to get this rooster to ever stop attacking the dogs--even if I did manage to train him to not attack me. There's just too many possibilities here.

 

[chickpack2024]

I'll start off by saying I love roosters! I used to have up to 7 of them at a time when I raised a lot of chickens. But there are good ones and bad ones. It sounds like you have a people aggressive rooster and he needs to go! Becoming a meal for someone else seems to be the best outcome for this particular rooster.

The breed can make a huge difference. I have found Wyandotte and Orpington roosters to usually be good ones. And most Australorps. I have 2 Cream Legbar roosters right now and they are really good roosters. But there can be differences in roosters of the same breed. All roosters can be a little difficult when they get that first rush of hormones around 3 to 4 months old. If they haven't settled down by 6 months old they become supper.

One thing to be aware of when raising a male from a chick is not to make a pet of them. They need to respect you and keep their distance from you if they are to become acceptable roosters. And that was always the hardest part for me.

Don't give up on having a rooster. If you find a good one he will be a pleasure to have.

Honestly, because I live in an area where roosters are permitted, I was thinking of adopting one later that was full grown and has a nice personality. There seem to be plenty of people getting rid of them just because they can't have them where they live. But I may wait a bit before I do that, just get used to chicken behavior a little. I've also been thinking I don't want to breed this one (on purpose or accidentally), if he already has these characteristics. My australorp hens are very "chill" so maybe that would be a good idea!

 

[FrostRanger]

Honestly, because I live in an area where roosters are permitted, I was thinking of adopting one later that was full grown and has a nice personality. There seem to be plenty of people getting rid of them just because they can't have them where they live. But I may wait a bit before I do that, just get used to chicken behavior a little. I've also been thinking I don't want to breed this one (on purpose or accidentally), if he already has these characteristics. My australorp hens are very "chill" so maybe that would be a good idea!

Sounds like a good plan, I don't think you'd have much trouble finding an Australorp rooster when the time comes. In the meantime enjoy your girls and whatever you decide to cook with the jerk!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Many good comments here. We had a rooster we had to dispatch several years ago because he hurt a hen so badly ... then got a good rooster, but he died fighting off a hawk. Next rooster started out okay but took to flogging my kid so I took over the chicken chores and then he came after me! We now have a jewel of a rooster, may he live forever ... but I know he won't. I've decided there are no bad roosters, they are all good for something. They're either good for the flock, or good for the pot.

 

[Emmaloveschickens9156]

Sometimes you have to go through quite a few Roos before u get a good one. All (except one!)of my roosters so far have been very aggressive, so I know how it is. I have one right now, he is my favorite and only older roo. He is fully black with a very big beard. Olive egger. He is my very tame hens son though, so I figured he would be sweet. He’s just getting to the point where he wants to mate with hens all the time so I’m hoping he doesn’t become aggressive. Good luck chickening!

 

[Emmaloveschickens9156]

Plymouth rocks are very good at keeping away/deterring predators as well, and they are usually calm and docile. They will give their lives for their hens but are usually very docile towards humans. Good luck!