Getting rid of my rooster! :(

[bj taylor]

reading this thread all the way through because I am in a similar boat. my rooster has not attacked anyone so far, but he is making life miserable for my girls. I've never killed before & it will be very hard. things are not getting better & this may be the choice I make.

 

[Sgtfirstwife]

The couple I gave our roo to, made sure from the beginning that he knew his place. He was not allowed to show any aggression towards them, he is not allowed to mount any of the hens in front of them and at the first sign of another attack they will cull him. Let me be clear here, the only reason I gave that rooster to them was because they needed him for hawk protection, not to breed. I was not strict enough with him from the beginning, that mistake will not be made again. I may not had been able cull him, but my husband had no issues at all.

 

[bobbi-j]

Getting rid of the rooster is the right choice. It has happened once, you don't know when it will happen again. You know how fast it can happen, so you know it can happen that fast for your kids, too. They may not see it coming and end up getting injured. Who wants to have to worry about being attacked every time they go out to take care of the chores? Your kids are old enough to understand what has to be done and why. That's part of raising livestock. It is not "cruel" to kill an aggressive rooster (or any chicken for that matter) if it's done humanely. Our method of choice here is the stump-and-hatchet method. The rooster is decapitated, and it's over in an instant. There are good roosters out there. I have a brahma and he's the sweetest guy. No, he's not a "house chicken". Not even a pet. He respects me and keeps his distance. I've never had a problem with him, and I've had him for about 3 years. Your hens will not be in more danger if you get rid of the rooster. They will learn to watch the sky themselves. Sometimes a dominant hen will take over the roll of guardian. You have to do what's best for you and your family. As the parent, you need to keep your kids' best interest in mind. One thing to think about. Their reaction to it will depend entirely on yours. If you treat it like a crisis, or horrible event, so will they. If you treat it as something you've just gotta do, they'll see it the same way. They may be sad, but they'll adjust. Some kids at 12 are already helping to process chickens that they raise.

edited by staff

 

[annewandering]

My family had a rooster with 2 inch spurs that used to attack me every time he saw me. He would jump on my back and claw and rake my head, back, and shoulders. My mom tried to get him to stop but he wouldnt. After a bad attack we had chicken soup for supper. I was pretty threatening to him being a polite three years old.
He deserved to be made into soup. Check my avatar and you can see how dangerous I was to chickens.

 

[gg706]

I have no problem with culling the bird especially if you feel your kids are in danger. I posted my 'attack' story because it was similar to yours in that my roo wasn't normally mean either...it was like a light bulb went on that the goofy bird didn't recognize me. But I suppose their brains are what...the size of a pea?

I feel mine is very similar also. It is very possible he got confused. He has always been so well behaved. He halfheartedly hopped at me one time about 5 months ago when one of the hens hid behind me to escape his attention and I put my foot out as to say "no leave her alone" and he thought he would flog me but got kicked at full force instead and slammed into the fence. He never did anything else until now. And again he got booted! I have been tough from the very beginning as I react without thinking about it. I do not think I have the flight reflex only the fight reflex! He picked the fight with the wrong one! If it was just me I would not worry about it but I worry if he got confused or otherwise with my son. He goes up there and picks up the hens, carries the rooster around. Pets them and loves them all. If I need the chickens put away I send my son because they will let him walk right up and pick them up and they run from me most of the time. My son will be upset, but I have had to cull 2 hens that were eggbound and now possibly the rooster. It just is the way it is with chickens and if I am going to keep chickens I have to make tough decisions. Even if it is something he does not agree with, he will in time get over it and understand. I showed him the bruise on my leg, which I actually think is a peck mark, and he understands.

 

[gg706]

Thank You for the info Bobbyj. I was a little concerned about free ranging without him as he does watch out for the flock very well. I am glad one of the hens will step up. If not I also have 2 dogs that run the yard, not that they are watching out for the chickens all day but if they saw something they would chase it off. And my yard is fenced so it is mostly hawks I would have to worry about.

It does happen VERY quickly!!! I did not even hear anything just a sharp pain in my leg and I reacted. After I thought what in the heck is going on as the rooster was about 6 foot up in the air from me kicking him. OMGosh my rooster attacked me! I was SO suprised and shocked at his behavior I almost wrung his neck right then and there because I was so angry! Kindof wish I would have as it would be over and done with.

 

[bobbi-j]

Another thing that can help protect them from hawks is to be sure they have plenty of hiding places to get under. Do what you need to do to enjoy your flock.

 

[gg706]

Thank You all for all the info, support, suggestions and advice. I am confused at this point and not sure what to do. One minute I say rooster soup for him and the next I think I should keep him and range them when my kids are not home to insure an accident did not occur.
If he were really aggressive posturing, attacking and chasing people the decision would be clear and easy for me and I would have already chopped his head off. But he is not, he is respectful and goes about his business and my son carries him around the yard all the time. I am SO torn about what to do. Those with more experience please advise me on what you think of him not being aggressive all the time. Does it normally escalate? I have read posts about roosters chasing people and having to go into the coop with a stick to keep the rooster off of them...I have never had to do this.

 

[SD Bird Lady]

I was in the same boat as you about a month ago. We ended up shooting ours and putting him in a coon trap. We caught a coon so technically he protected his hens with the ultimate sacrifice.

What happened was he attacked me a couple times and I gave him "the boot" so he learned to leave ME alone. However, when I wasn't where he could see me he would attack the kids and since they are 3, 5 & 7 they aren't very scary. I was debating my best plan of action but the decision was taken out of my hands when my husband went to "do me a favor" and let the chickens out and the rooster flew off the roost at his head. That night he died.

My nephew was attacked and he still has scars on his back. I was a little more forgiving because it was winter and we were bundled so no one ever really got hurt but in summer attire they can do some damage.

 

[gg706]

Yes, I think I know what the answer is.....and after it is over I will be relieved to not have to worry about it anymore. I keep worrying about my son going out there are picking up one of the hens and the rooster snaps, or him trying to pick the rooster up and the rooster fights back. I am going to cull him. It is just too big of a risk, even if he never got out of line again it seems the problem gets worse typically. I always said IF he came at me again he was gone....well he did so I should not question a decision I already made months ago. Thank You all for the help I appreciate it! I am going to dispatch him as soon as I can get up the nerve. Thank You!