He is attacking my son! (was: Help me choose a rooster)

[Judy]

I would get rid of the one with the behavior problem, for sure, because of the 2 year old -- too dangerous. There are ways to deal with a mean roo, effective only to an extent, but I would not take the chance with a small child on the property -- to me, rooster taming is something you do when all involved are adults and not at risk of losing an eye.

I would keep the tame roo, and if I started getting a lot of defects, then consider replacing him.

I don't know what the chances are of defects when the pair are brother and sister, and I think this is what you are saying. You would get an answer to this question if you were in the breeds, genetics forum, I'm sure.

 

[bobbi-j]

I can't answer the question about inbreeding or linebreeding, but I would certainly get rid of the one that is attacking your son. You don't want those behaviors to be bred into your flock. I suggest "rehoming" him to the freezer.

 

[Mrs. K]

You have had your warning. Your son will be attacked again, and each time it will be more aggressive.

Male animals cannot be trusted, especially males with females. With an adult, you are much much bigger than a rooster, but a child is not. Animals do size up their opponents. You are risking serious damage to your child for a rooster. A roosters brain is not very big in comparison to his body, he is not capable of reasoning.

I agree with the post above, I would not have a rooster on the place with small children, untill the youngest is about 10 years. You are risking too much. And you just never know, perfectly good natured roos can go bad in an instant.

Not worth the risk, you can get fertilized eggs from someone else, and that would also get rid of the whole inline breeding issue, to put under a broody hen.

MrsK

 

[silkiechicken]

Rooster's are still full of hormones so follow the advice so far and get rid of him. Any rooster that shows aggression to people shouldn't be tolerated. There are too many good roosters out there to settle for less. That said, you did mention you are interested in breeding your birds; in that case it is even more important to get a human friendly rooster, as behavior does have a heavy genetic component. In the end though. All roosters can potentially see a child as an opponent "worthy" of a fight, some are more prone to acting on it than others.

 

[sourland]

Time for him to go. Kids come first.

 

[Hope119]

Oh! All these replies are right on time! Thanks! If we get very lucky, all extra roosters will be removed this week.

He has attacked my son from the back today again, ds got really scared and crying again - he was playing outside with grandma (our chickens are free-ranged). It is sad that this roo will have to go to the freezer - he was a good candidate to stay.

We would have left the main rooster, as he is caring very well for all the hens and they seem to like him too, but he has huge comb and wattles - meaning he'll get frost bite for sure; he is white - meaning easier visible for predators; his feet are already red - I have not read on that, but I am thinking that is from cold and it will get much, much colder in winter (and no electricity in the coop).

I am afraid that the one who is "not related" will grow huge comb and wattles too, once all other roos are removed.

Ahh, this is going to be a hard decision!

 

[bobbi-j]

Where do you live that you're concerned about the comb and wattles? I live in MN, have an uninsulated coop, and haven't had a problem. And it does get cold here - sometimes -20 to -30 or colder. I've read that vaseline will help prevent frostbite. I've never tried it myself. I do have a big enough coop that my chickens don't go outside during the winter. Maybe that's why my roosters have never gotten frostbite.

 

[Hope119]

We are in NY (state, in Putnam County). My friend's roo, the father of most of our chickens, got frostbite last winter. They go outside and I am sure ours will too.

 

[sourland]

Frozen combs and wattles will dry up and drop off leaving you with a naturally dubbed rooster. Keep the rooster with the good personality.

 

[Hope119]

thanks, but too late

. we kept another one with short comb, not the best personality, but he has not (yet?) attacked my son. He was pretty low in their order, so I am sure his behavior will change. We'll see.