Help only a rooster and 1 hen left!! What to do?

[Peeps61]

All roosters are not like this. I had a mean one and we came to agreement on what he could and could not do (it involved quite a bit of intimidation by me). A predator took him, and frankly, I didn't miss him a bit. I now have a 4 month old cockerel (buff polish), who acts like he could not care less about people, dogs or small children. Could be the feathered tophat he sports! He can't see us

. There are other breeds that are known to be more docile than others (Buff Orphingtons, for example). You might have better luck with one of those.

 

[Kev]

No that's him getting worked up to get braver and very likely will start biting and actually kicking to scratch. With kids that young, it just is not worth it if you don't know what to do. Those claws and spurs can easily reach a toddler's face level... all it takes is only once to do possibly major damage. Not worth it.

Not all roosters become dominant or aggressive. It is a mixture of genetics and environment. There are some roosters that will stay non aggressive no matter how you raise them and then there are roosters that will be mean and attack every one no matter how they are raised.. and the rest are somewhere in the middle.

the above brings up a good point. you probably want roosters that just don't care either way about people. Calm. No roosters that are constantly alerting at people, making noises even if he doesnt seem to charge at people.. No young roosters that are too interested in people, following someone around, begging for treats etc. Those are the ones that have no fear of people so if they have any inclination to aggression, that combination can make them extremely nasty.

It's the "huh? people? whatever dude...." and go on what they were doing that probably are good picks in a pet or kid situation.

 

[annmarie33]

Ya I initially liked him because he did ignore people for so long. He was always the fastest to get away and never wanted to be held. He ignored us until the hens started laying eggs it seems. I don't know if that could be a part of his instinct or something. I've been wondering if he was normal or too aggressive. This makes me feel better about possibly having a nice rooster. He is just so pretty he's a double dilute Easter egger. But after talking to my husband we are going to get rid of him and hope for a better rooster with our current chicks. We have bantams. I think one of the silkies might be a rooster. Do any of you know the better breeds with bantams for roosters usually? I think right now I have porcelain, Mille fleur, 2 other different kind of Cochins and silkies...some others I can't remember off the top of my head

 

[aart]

This is our first time having chickens and we had 7 originally. 3 roosters and 4 hens. One rooster was mean and pecking people so we got rid of it and kept the dominant prettiest rooster. He has acted like the head of the flock since he was little. A few months ago he started chasing anyone who came outside except my husband. I have twin 1 1/2 year olds and they love the rooster but he runs up to them and tries to intimidate. I was under the assumption that as long as he isn't trying to peck he was ok. The flies at you and kinda stops right I front of you. He has done this to my twins teice recently and since they are short it is too close to their head. We do keep him away from them since that happened. So all roosters army dominant like this? Tell me how a rooster should be? I want to make sure I keep the good one this time since we just got 17 new chicks and I'm sure there will be a few roosters. Thank you for helping

With 1 1/2 year olds? I wouldn't have any roosters, just not worth the risk, get rid of them.
..and until you do, don't let the little kids anywhere near them...watch out for the hens too, they like to peck shiny things, like eyes.

 

[annmarie33]

Just wanted to update. The rooster is gone and our hen is happily raising her babies. We are building a coop/run away from the house so that the kids won't be interacting without adult supervision. Thank you for you help and concerns

 

[aart]

Just wanted to update. The rooster is gone and our hen is happily raising her babies. We are building a coop/run away from the house so that the kids won't be interacting without adult supervision. Thank you for you help and concerns

Sweet pic!.... probably the sweetest, most heart clenching, take your breathe away, part of chicken keeping....hopefully none of those chicks are males.
Enjoy the best to the fullest, prepare well for the other parts.