Help! Raising a Rooster around kids??

[kayjk27]

I am 99% sure one of my Brahmas is a rooster. They are 8 weeks old. Is there anything I can do to help ensure it does not get aggressive towards my toddlers? We just had to re-home our 7 month old polish rooster and I really don't want to have to do that again.

Handle him more? Less? Keep hand feeding treats? Stop?

These are the first chickens I've ever raised. The roo I had to re-home I got at 4 months old (as my first chicken) and was very nice so we handled him a lot, and then he got mean and would never run from us. Thanks in advance for any advice!!

 

[redranger209]

I am 99% sure one of my Brahmas is a rooster. They are 8 weeks old. Is there anything I can do to help ensure it does not get aggressive towards my toddlers? We just had to re-home our 7 month old polish rooster and I really don't want to have to do that again.

Handle him more? Less? Keep hand feeding treats? Stop?

These are the first chickens I've ever raised. The roo I had to re-home I got at 4 months old (as my first chicken) and was very nice so we handled him a lot, and then he got mean and would never run from us. Thanks in advance for any advice!!View attachment 1492399 View attachment 1492400

Don’t handle him. Let him know your alpha.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I definitely advise not to pet or allow him to be too forward. At that age I like for my boys to run like heck from me except if I'm bringing food. Than they can come forward but must stay out of my area, no jumping towards me. No grabbing or hand feeding.

That being said kids can be unpredictable in their movements, and noises which can often trigger the protective instincts of roosters. If your birds aren't penned I would advise not keeping a rooster. Even the best rooster can crack. I think I would rather not worry. A rooster can do some damage to little kids, often going for their face.

 

[av8torcrj]

I'm sure you will get a spectrum of advice but my personal experience is that a Roos nature depends largely on the strain. I treat all my birds the same and some Roos have been nasty, some have been passive. RIR Roos apparently are notorious for getting testy. My two cackle guys have NEVER so much as blinked at me aggressively, nor have my amerucana Roos. I've had leghorn and Orpingtons that would eat you alive, the latter supposedly a docile breed. Hopefully you will get lucky, he looks like a nice boy. Then again, if I had the slightest doubt, I'd keep the kids away (obviously).

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I'm sure you will get a spectrum of advice but my personal experience is that a Roos nature depends largely on the strain. I treat all my birds the same and some Roos have been nasty, some have been passive. RIR Roos apparently are notorious for getting testy. My two cackle guys have NEVER so much as blinked at me aggressively, nor have my amerucana Roos. I've had leghorn and Orpingtons that would eat you alive, the latter supposedly a docile breed. Hopefully you will get lucky, he looks like a nice boy. Then again, if I had the slightest doubt, I'd keep the kids away (obviously).

I agree.... strain does play a role, even still, they are not all guarantee to act the same. Maybe when describing them in general chicken behavior, they fit a certain mold, but the aggressive genetic trait varies from one chicken to another which is why I think people should be more aware when choosing a particular chicken to use as breeding purposes.

 

[Folly's place]

Toddlers are tricky, because they are very short, and ramble around and act like --toddlers-- and that's not terrific with chickens in general. It's not a bad idea to keep hens only for a couple of more years, until you are more comfortable with them, and your little people are a bit older and maybe more manageable. And taller.
Then again, if you want to try him, be very careful about supervising everyone, and walk 'through' him, and be looking for any hints of human aggression. He should be paying attention to the other chickens, and avoiding you, and not be hand fed, IMO.
Read beekissed's article about managing roosters, it's very good. It won't help your small children manage him, however. That's dependent on his genetic tendency to be a 'man fighter' or not.
I like having roosters, but only keep polite ones!
Mary

 

[mikgub]

I hear it really just depends on the rooster, and that has been true in our situation. We have two roosters (both 10 months old). One is somewhat agressive and one is not at all. They were both handled the same way as chicks.

 

[beccaWA]

I've read that temperament is inherited. Nasty roo, his chicks grow up to be nasty roos.

 

[Alexandra33]

No matter what method I've employed when raising my nearly 40-some roosters, they've always turned out just the way they're going to turn out. You can ignore a cockerel all you want, or smother him in affection at every turn, and he'll still follow the natural tendencies he was hatched with. I have even attempted to change an aggressive roo's ways by asserting my dominance on the daily, as well as (disclaimer: I never actually hurt them) throwing objects their direction, to no avail. I say use your best judgement and do what you think is best.

Yes, you can keep roosters around children, provided someone is watching over the situation at all times. If you notice any iffy behavior at all, then is the time to act. Those claws/beaks/spurs can severely injure a toddler.

~Alex

 

[centrarchid]

Why not confine him to a pen by himself until he is a good 10 months old? Then you and toddlers can learn to read him and potentially make adjustments in your behavior or get rid of him before problems arise. I have just started penning my American Dominique cockerels, some singly, and about half dozen others in a bachelor pen. I do expect troubles from them but if they have inclinations it can be read when they are not able to get at little kids. The penning can also be a confidence builder for the human side of the equation. Once he comes into adult feather you can release him to see how he operates. Generally, my hypothesis differs markedly from from most on this forum because I am far more rooster oriented. Even so, a penning setup will allow assessment regardless of logic used to predict rooster behavior.