FLORIDA!!!!!ALWAYS SUNNY SIDE UP!!!

[anderson8505]

I think my rooster is just reaching maturity...he is about7-8 months old & a hatchery buff orpington. I didn't really want a rooster when I got him but now that he has been here I am kinda liking the idea. I fell into this breed because that is what my friend has & I got them from her. I was happy to read that the breed is known for being friendly and I hoped he'd be true to type. Usually when I walk towards him he gives me a wide berth & he has been respectful of the dogs (border collies-who are not aggressive towards him). My runner ducks & drakes seem to push him around too.

Unfortunately this week he is not acting like a warm friendly BO. I was coming in the front gate a couple days ago & he jumped at me. Yesterday he was poking around my feet while I was sitting in the yard & I lifted my foot to shoo him away a bit & he came at me. I stood up & went right at him & kicked out (I had on sneakers) and made glancing blows under his chin each time he jumped & flapped at me ...probably 4 times in all. He wasn't injured & really didn't even seem phased at all but he did back down. Tonight when I got home I was preparing to put out some feed like always & my 14 1/2 year old dog was out with me. and he went after her. It was a halfhearted attempt but it really ****** me off because she is old & frail and was not even paying attention to the birds. I yelled & booted him right in the butt- again in sneaks- and made a good connection some feathers came out & he jumped away. After that he was very respectful/fearful and avoided me like the plague.

I am really new to chickens but I have read a lot of info about rooster issues. I think I either need to rehome him or put him in the crockpot (not sure I can do this myself). Am I being too hard on him? Jumping the gun? He is young so might he grow out of it?

My inclination is to look for another roo, from show lines (friendlier I think??). I have some one month old ameraucanas & I am sure at least one of those will be a roo and I believe they are show lines though not certain. They are very skittish right now but the mealworms really warmed them up to me. I am planning on getting a few australorp pullets this weekend too.

Sooo, to the point, should I wait on my Ams to see if one of them can take over rooster duty? Or would I be better to get a mature roo from someone & put my BO in the pot now? There are lots of hawks, eagles, etc & my birds free range during the day so I feel like a roo might help keep them safer.

There was a really handsome Speckled sussex at the farm swap last weekend that she wanted $15 for- she even had 2 lovely hens to go with him ($20 a piece-is that a lot?) he had HUGE spurs but she said he was very sweet.

Thanks for any advice you can give!!

Well, if you read the many threads here about aggressive roosters, you will find that the advice leans on two fences: eat him or carry him around. I tried the carry him around method and for my very aggressive boy it didn't work. I also tried shoving, then kicking him, and he came back for it and got sneakier. He began attacking me with my back turned. Some roosters are aggressive and if you have kids or any aged frequent visitors, they are NEXT on his flogging agenda. Once Lou flogged my daughter he was a goner. I took him to Nava's place. Her husband put his boot on Lou's neck and held him down until the rooster stopped struggling. He had to keep doing this though. I was told he was rehomed, but I'm not sure of it and now I just don't care because I've had several roosters since then.

An aggressive animal is a dangerous thing. Not ALL roosters are like this. My late(RIP buddy) Bowie tried to get aggressive and one kick and he was done attacking me, but I kept an eye out for him in case he changed his mind. My Cochin, Goliath has never even walked toward me with aggression. My WFBS boys aren't quite the age to attack but they're so scared of me I don't think it'll happen

My advice? Eat him or give him to someone who will. DO NOT sell/give him away without telling the buyer/taker the TRUTH. You don't want to endanger someone else, especially a kid.
There are TONS of roosters out there just waiting for a great home like yours.

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

The hens I got from a breeder in Ft. Meyers and the original roo I got from ItsyBitsyFarm. He met up with a Bob cat and the one I have is his son. They look exactly alike but Big Red had a couple dark feathers in his tail. Red#2 doesn't.
Big Red. He wasn't that red Red#2

 

[tigercreek]

None of the FL folks have any words of wisdom for a newbie?

I was reluctant to advise because it seemed to me that you wanted someone to tell you how to 'break' him of his aggressive behavior. I don't think that is a realistic option. As Patricia said, an aggressive rooster can be a danger, and is just aggravating at the least. Eat him, or auction him, or Craigslist him for free, but get rid of him and get a good one, and do not breed him. It seems that human aggressiveness is inherited rather than learned behavior. I have raised a lot of cockerels of different breeds to full maturity and never had 1 even drop a wing at me. I have been fortunate that I have not had to deal with hatchery stock. They are not bred for temperament. It should not be too hard to get one you can trust that is pleasant to be around, especially in the breed you have. If you ever decide to go to Plymouth Rocks, Delawares or Aussies, I can help. .........stan

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

Seeing as how the roosters got all the attention, I thought I'd give equal billing to the hens. Well here they are. They prefer to stay in the barn. It is cooler.
This is the hen that just started laying.

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

Not to be out done. The Brown Leghorns checking out the new nest boxes. Later I found the rooster nesting in it.

edited to ad: I think I'll call him George you know after Boy George. They're both colorful characters.

 

[plantcityhomestead]

Ingrid, those are some stunning boys. The lines are as good in the cockerels as they are in the pullets. I am really looking forward to seeing them in person.

Cindy, I have Buff Orpingtons, and had 2 roosters until this spring. I got rid of one of them because he pecked at my toes. In an Orpington, no aggression is acceptable, they are supposed to be calm, loving birds. You really don't want that fella to have offspring. I would never keep an aggressive rooster for any reason. They are dangerous. I am sure with so few chickens it is going to be hard to get rid of him, but it really is for the best. It is going to be difficult to replace him with a show BO. I have been looking for one since spring, and haven't been able to find one locally. Try to find someone who breeds for temperament. Once you have a sweet BO rooster, you will be glad you replaced him. My BO rooster follows me around like a little puppy and will let me hold him without objection when I need to check him out.

cindy

 

[tigercreek]

That looks to be a really good pullet!!! Hope you got a few more like her. If so, you have a very good start. Your pics taught me to be a lot more patient before getting rid of roosters. He is gone, and there will be no more of those babies. ......stan

 

[anderson8505]

Not to be out done. The Brown Leghorns checking out the new nest boxes. Later I found the rooster nesting in it.

edited to ad: I think I'll call him George you know after Boy George. They're both colorful characters.

Really beautiful birds, Ingrid!!! The silver penciled rock roo that I had from Stan used to nest with the ladies too. I think they do it for protection while the hens are laying. Where did you get these birds?

 

[CuddlesDuccles]

Not to be out done.  The Brown Leghorns checking out the new nest boxes.  Later I found the rooster nesting in it.      
edited to ad:  I think I'll call him George you know after Boy George.  They're both colorful characters

My rooster is always going in the nest area! He does these really cute cheepy sounds like he's trying to tell the hen "put the eggs here, love" LOL He is such a sweet roo. He is very in touch with his feminine side haha.

 

[anderson8505]

My rooster is always going in the nest area! He does these really cute cheepy sounds like he's trying to tell the hen "put the eggs here, love" LOL He is such a sweet roo. He is very in touch with his feminine side haha.

so cute!