Getting rid of the rooster

[Becky_H]

Quote:
I honestly think that's a good idea. Chickens have something in common with other pet birds at the very most basic. They're certainly not as smart (or loud!) as parrots, but they can be really awesome pets: if they like you enough to want to be around you. If not, they need other birds around. Here, Oscar's essentially just a really, really, big dove. He'd like friends but since he doesn't have them of his own species, he takes them from us (and the cat) and we do what we can to make his life interesting with foraging and interaction.

...and he was always an extremely friendly guy ;-) That shoulder's still his favorite place, but as he's gotten heavier he's learned to settle for a knee. It's easier to have his wattles rubbed that way ;-)

 

[Larkin]

Quote:
My mind is made up that he can't be alone. I would try to find him a home with lots of hens, but that's easier said than done. He's actually good to big people, he just doesn't like kids. Fine with dogs too. I just think it'd be easier to find a home for my little people than find a home for Buff.

 

[Larkin]

Becky, that's encouraging to hear. At least the new roo will have a good, happy life as a pet rooster. I think Buff is going to have some sort of rooster therapy sessions and if it fails, well...we know what we have to do. I saw a thread somewhere how to rehab your rooster. Buff isn't even a year old yet so maybe there is hope. Maybe

 

[Becky_H]

I may have missed it, but how old are your kids?

 

[ShortCircuitRanch2332]

I was told by an old man one time that when you have an aggressive animal like a dog lets say it bite you as soon as it does bite it back I thought you've got to be crazy but a few months later I got a putty and it liked to play rough bite and tear at you and stuff so I got annoyed and when she bit me I bit her back hard and made her yelp and believe it or not that dog never bit another person again same with the horse I had be would bite and I bit him back although rite as I bit him i figured that would be the LAST thing I ever did LMAO but it works so the roo I have a araucana was purchased recently hes a lil aggressive and he ran at me and I charged rite back at him head on basically playing "chicken" so to speak lol and he backed down first and we did that like 3-4 times and he hasn't tried it again and hes like a year and a half maybe 2 im sure he will never be a big lover like Becky_H's but we stay in our neutral corners, I think you should try this then after he backs down pick him up and carry him around just to degrade him a lil more maybe put a pink bonnet on him

j/k bout the bonnet but at least if you try you wont have that "what if" thought on your mind its always a lil harder to butcher something you didn't intend to in the first place
oh HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

 

[Attila the Hen]

Quote:
I agree with short circuit. I've had a few learning experiences of this kind which included a cat or two. I would never hurt an animal, but I insist on being alpha. After all I work and feed everyone. It's also a challenge that if you have the time might be interesting. Why let a rooster get the best of you? I guess the only thing is the little ones. Can't have them being vulnerable or hurt.
Good luck and by the way-when I do pick up the rooster to show dominance he is more docile than the hens! He's really a sweetie pie and like your rooster--it's his job to protect the hens. He's only doing what he is supposed to do and if he didn't you wouldn't want him then.

 

[Larkin]

Ok, my kids are 7, 9, 10. They were fine with the chickens til early this spring when Buff started attacking them. My oldest tripped and the rooster attacked her when she was down. They have never been mean or aggressive to the hens or him so I thought he just didn't like their snow gear. Not so. He hasn't been aggressive to the adults, maybe a little but nothing I can't handle by chasing him down and picking him up like a football. I read to carry him around so we've been trying that. My kids can carry him too when we catch him but as soon as they put him down, he turns and tries to spur and peck them. Right now, he doesn't have spurs and we are still wearing sweatshirts, gloves, and jean. In the summer, this will not be the case and there will be trouble and bloodshed!
I wish there was a better way but just now I went out to check the babies water and when I was giving treats (by hand to the hens), he attacked me from behind when I was done. Pecked me through my pants, THAT HURT! It's looking like I need to have DH sharpen that axe. I appreciate that he's doing his job and that he's doing a great job at watching over them but I too think I need to be respected as the alpha since I feed and water, and treat them now. (Kids were doing a great job til the fear factor of Buff).
Sadly I think this story of Buff will end soon, I cannot tolerate or take a chance on an animal that can hurt my children or my nephews and nieces when I'm not vigilant. Thanks for all the input, tonight was the last straw.

 

[sourland]

In my opinion, you've reached the proper decision.

 

[allpeepedout]

I know someone who adopted a roo from the humane society and integrated him into her flock, with two other roos. You might see if that's an option if a family member really doesn't want to kill. Apparently there are some people have some success dealing with aggressive ones, and there are techniques for training. (Probably not an experiment you want to try with your kids.)

This is an interesting article about not playing into the rooster role. http://www.motherearthnews.com/happy-homesteader/help-for-agressive-roosters.aspx

 

[Mattemma]

I just posted to craigs and took in a roo for my 7 hens. He hasn't been aggresive yet,but he and the girls did have a showdown when each attacked him. He fought back which suprised the girls who are used to attacking other submissive girls. Hope you can find a home before eating him. I have told my kids that the roo can get seriously aggresive and take their eyes out. I am right there if the roo and kids are outside.