Help! I'm just not "feeling" it with these two :(

[technodoll]

First, I've just come to the conclusion that keeping 3 roos in a flock of 14 just isn't worth it, even if he is pretty. Up until recently, I thought this barred plymouth rock was a girl and the bad attitude would be worth it just to get some nice eggs. NOT!

Bad attitude = he is terrified of me and with his huge size, he could easily kill my two silkie roos if he decided to. He's still very young, about 4 months or so, and I caught him trying to clumsily mount a hen this afternoon. Those giant crooked feet will rip feathers off their backs in no time

I'm attached as I've had him for 3 months, but I can't get close to him, trying to catch him is a nightmare - where's the fun in that?

How do I rehome a young purebred without wondering if he'd be served for dinner? I couldn't do that to him!!

Second, I have the same attitude problem with one of the hens: you can't approach her, she screams bloody murder and will bash her head into obstacles trying to get away if you get close. She's shredded my arms and face twice already with feet and wings when I had to get her into the coop at night (she won't go near the plastic on the pop door - dumb bird).

Again, I've had her for 3 months, she is big and beautiful (RIR and cochin mix), if she's not already laying she will start any day... but... I get no enjoyment from her, to me she is taking up food and space that a nice, gentle and friendly hen could take.

I don't know anyone around where I live that would take them, or even one of them. I'm afraid to place an ad and hand them over to strangers (well you guys aren't strangers, LOL).

I'd love to replace these two with proven purebreed layers, any kind that does well in cold weather would do as long as they are sweet and laid back.

Please help me fix my flock! Am getting desperate!

 

[faykokoWV]

If you do have to place an ad, price the birds high. If someone is willing to pay alot for them, chance are they aren't going to eat them. Why pay $15 for a bird and then eat it when you buy the meat cheaper. Also, flatter the birds in the ad

"Very handsome, pure bred Barred Plymoth Rock Rooster. Good ranger, requires very little attention. Ready to breed now. Extremely popular breed."

"RIR Chochin cross. A very rare cross breed. Should be an excellent layer that will likley set eggs for you. A dominant hen that should be able to protect her young well"

 

[canada-goose]

Quote:
Sounds like the right way to market her. Definitely post an ad like that.

But you misspelled Cochin.

 

[emvickrey]

If I bought a bird with a bad attitude it would not live with us anymore one way or the other. I refuse to have anythng that I take are of abuse me. I am very gentile with my birds. For me to carry one by its feet is punishment not normal behavior. I carry mine upright and if necessary, I hold their feet. I've seen chickens treated so rought no wonder they are afraid of people. At the auciton they hold them by their wings near their gody with their wings in what looks to be a painful position. We don't toss them into cages. They are gently placed and a little push if necessary. Making sure all toes and legs aren't in any positions to be hurt.

So saying all that, if we where hurt by any of our chickens due to just plain meaness. The bird would just have to leave one way or the other. No matter what I paid for it.

I find it better to be honest with people. After all, that's what we expect...right? There may be somebody that has a way with animals. I know a woman that can tame anything.

 

[LittleMamaBigPapa]

I am sorry that you find yourself in this position, but you can't let yourself dwell on the fact that if you sell or barter your chickens to someone they may want your birds for eating.

You are correct, you need to get rid of the mean ones or you may lose all of them if they decide to attack your kind birds. Place the ad and don't look back. I love my pet chickens too and I won't be eating any of them, but I still eat chicken!!

It's a sacrifice to save the others.

 

[greathorse]

Leave them alone and let them be birds. Why do you need to be catching them all the time? If the roo is mean that is another story, but if a chicken is a bit indendent that is a good thing.

 

[technodoll]

Thanks so much everyone... Just spoke to the breeder and she will take the roo and the red hen back, she is happy to incorporated him in her breeding program so that is such good news! And the red mix she will keep for eggs.

In exchange she will give me more silkies, which I am super happy with.

WHEW!!

So off we go for a 4-hour car ride today... all for the birds... gosh you gotta love 'em.

 

[technodoll]

OK the roo is back at the breeder's, along with the red hen that I just couldn't stand... they didn't seem traumatized and will be well treated there.

Best decision ever - that roo would have killed my two silkie roos sooner or later and have taken all the back feathers off my small flock of hens.

Just couldn't risk it.

In exchange I got two 16-week old black sex link hens and two white silkie chicks (not yet sexed but they looked like roos to me at 2 months of age... LOL) - so happy!

It was a very hard decision to make that hubby and I had been contemplating for a few weeks but now that it's done, we are so relieved.

The flock seems much less stressed without those two nervous rackets around, too.