How To Raise A Rooster

[HighStreetCoop]

Well, they are attracted to the color red; maybe we'd better all check our OPI color charts in our copious spare time and go for the green and turquoise shades...

Hers are green right now. That's why I was thinking "bugs", LOL!

 

[HighStreetCoop]

So, reading this thread, I am concerned a bit. I had 11 chicks the first time around, 8 of which ended up in pots because they turned into roos and I live in a nice little neighborhood. I ended up getting 3 more chicks (so integration would be easier, 3 and 3), Welsummers which are supposed to be rather easy to sex. Turns out, 1 was a roo, but we didn't realize this for a few months when he started to really show. As such, my daughter (4) has been playing with all three and love them each. Until recently, he had been very, very nice, easy to hold, and easy to work with, so I decided not to put him into a pot when he got big enough and started to crow. Got the No-Crow collar and that has made it so we aren't worried about neighbors complaining to police and making us lose him. Plus, I always wanted a rooster to help with integrating new hens, giving me fertile eggs, and perhaps starting a meat flock one day. Anyways, he is now about 5 full months old, and as a week ago he started to get a bit more testy.

Before, we could hold and handle him without issues, now he has started to scratch my daughter when she holds him (mostly to move him indoors to his housing). I figured, and explained to her, it was because she didn't hold him right, he was worried about falling. He never scratches me, and when I watch her, he only scratches her when she is indeed holding him wrong. Hold him right, and he is fine. I don't think he is trying to scratch anyways, so much as grab onto something so he won't fall. But the real issue is his biting. That is what happened a week ago. About every two or three days he ends up biting my daughter or myself for no real reason that I can figure. Each time I ensure he understands it is not acceptable and that he is NOT dominant to any of us. This is done by holding him to the ground and holding his head down (read that on here to work with dominance) and it seems to work. He doesn't fight much and quickly calms down and is fine to hold after and move him on. But here is the problem... I am heading away for a rather long trip very soon and I don't want to worry about my daughter getting hurt by him. She handles ALL the birds, EVERY day, and loves them dearly. I don't want the roo to be an exception, and I heard Welsummer Roos are normally very passive and gentle overall, and he seems pretty fine in truth. Still, he DOES bite, and it draws a bit of blood sometimes, and to me, that cannot occur with my daughter. If I was around, I would just deal with him if needed, but I am leaving so that isn't an option.

Besides her just ignoring him (he doesn't chase anyone at all, only bites when approached and only occasionally and always indoors, never outdoors), is there a way we can get him to calm down? In truth, I don't see the point of keeping a roo in my current situation if he needs to be ignored. I have a fenced in yard, 2 dogs that do great with chickens and protect them from all ground predators (as does the highway that is rather close... XD), so he was more of a since we got him, we keep him type thing. Also, he does get attacked on occasion by the older hens. At first it was all the time, now its rare but it is all three ganging up on him and he loses each time. We end it as soon as we see it (three on one, drawing blood, just attacking is not setting a pecking order), but maybe this is part of the issue?

Anyways, anyone have some thoughts on this? Thank you for all the help, as this post alone has been a lot of info but seems that most are just saying to leave him alone and don't treat him like a pet. No reason for me to keep him in that case, I can get another roo when I get back and am home to deal with his bs.

Seems like an ideal chance to teach your daughter about respecting animal's limits and giving them the space they require and request.

 

[lazy gardener]

I would spend some time herding the rooster around. When you enter the coop or run, make him move out of your way. Where ever he decides to stand, you want to position yourself there, and make him continue to move out of your way. Back him into the corner. Take a light wt stick with you, and use that as a gentle prod to the back side to give him the idea that it's time to move. Stop the holding and carrying. When you feed the flock, especially treats, make him wait until the hens are done eating, or until you decide it's time to let him eat. Teach your daughter to handle him in the same manner. Personally, I'd not allow a child to be alone with a rooster. My grand daughter is 8, and I've taught her how to herd my rooster, but... I'd never let her in the pen alone with him. Your rooster is showing aggressive tendencies, and sooner or later he will work on his domination tactics. I can guarantee that he will try it with your daughter first, when you are not looking. Roosters are livestock, not pets.

 

[MeepMeeps]

This is a great thread with lots of info and experienced opinions! I am a newbie and have come out of denial that I have a RIR rooster out of what were supposed to be 6 girls. He is 11 weeks and is a good guy (so far). Leads the girls but isn't too rough with them. I have been back and forth contemplating on trying to find him a home for a few reasons, mainly for the crowing and possible aggressive behavior in the future. After reading some of this thread I am now concerned because I have held each chick since they were born, and since then I have pet him, and held him where he is the only bird that would sit on my lap! How can I not enjoy that?! Back to the post about not holding them, petting, them etc... is there a chance that after a certain time to know whether or not he will be aggressive? He has not crowed yet. It was suggested that I wait it out to find him a home until it is a problem, but wouldn't that be harder in the end? ...Thanks for listening!

 

[Kleonaptra]

This is a great thread with lots of info and experienced opinions!  I am a newbie and have come out of denial that I have a RIR rooster out of what were supposed to be 6 girls. He is 11 weeks and is a good guy (so far). Leads the girls but isn't too rough with them. I have been back and forth contemplating on trying to find him a home for a few reasons, mainly for the crowing and possible aggressive behavior in the future.  After reading some of this thread I am now concerned because I have held each chick since they were born, and since then I have pet him, and held him where he is the only bird that would sit on my lap! How can I not enjoy that?! Back to the post about not holding them, petting, them etc... is there a chance that after a certain time to know whether or not he will be aggressive? He has not crowed yet. It was suggested that I wait it out to find him a home until it is a problem, but wouldn't that be harder in the end? ...Thanks for listening!

I'm going to admit straight up, I know nothing about roosters. I have one now who is 5 months old, that's why I'm on the thread. Like you, I handled him quite a bit. He came to me with 2 others, one who's definitely a hen, one I'm not sure about. I handled all 3 but my Roo Beast got the most cos he was friendly. I've raised and trained many colts. I have a stallion, and though I know you don't kiss up to a breeding male, I also know, you don't make him your enemy, isolate him or ignore him. So, I'm trying to find that balance with my Roo. Its a learning curve. Every day, walking a fine line. Respect each other. If he needs reassurance, likes a pat, I think that's fine, but you have to really trust your instincts in each new situation and react accordingly. I think there's no complete method that will just be true every day, especially when they are young, you just have to assess each situation, go with what feels right, and hope for the best.

 

[MeepMeeps]

Thank you for your thoughts Kleonaptra. Since I wrote my post, I have been taking each day by day, observing his behavior and trying to be "neutral" around him or ready to react if he does anything "off". Haven't pet him or picked him up but I talk to him and give him treats like I do the others. His behavior hasn't changed much at 13 weeks. He crowed for the first time three days ago! But haven't heard him do it again since?!! He is still a good guy in my opinion and am going to try to keep him; I'm hoping for the best. Thanks again for your advice and sharing your experiences!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Here's my old lady two cents on this matter, don't handle them to much, certainly don't pet them, and when they become sexually mature and start harassing the hens, I will chase them if they make a hen scream in my presence, or toss my plastic blue coffee can at them, if they really become a pain into the rooster pen they go for a month or two until they can calm down a bit. The only trouble rooster I've ever had was a bantam frizzle Cochin, I picked him and his brother up a lot, because they were adorable, one of them became the only rooster culled for aggression. I currently have 11 adult roosters and they all ignore me. As far as who a rooster when they are very young, most cases the little roos will not feather as quickly, and the girls will have their wing feathers come in before the boys

 

[microchick]

So I have three roosters 18 weeks old who are acting respectful and at present time, non aggressive. 2 are Beautiful Welsummers. 1 is a Buff O named Big Red for a reason. The hens love all 3 and they are living peacefully together at the moment. None are pets.

And two who are buttheads. I have 3 choices with them at the moment. Keep them penned in a bachelor pen which they hate and has made one more aggressive. Let them free range and take their chances. Or introduce them to Mr Crockpot.

Think I'll go open the pen and give them one last chance at life.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Funny, I know about buttheads, I always give one more chance like 10 times

 

[microchick]

Funny, I know about buttheads, I always give one more chance like 10 times

Yep,sounds familiar.

I let Bevis and Butthead out of their pen and the first thing they did was make a bee line to the main coop where they looked for a way in. The Alpha Rooster, Big Red placed himself between the two exiles and his hens and matched their pace...all around the run. He had himself puffed up and standing tall, quite an impressive sight, and his whole attitude was " Go ahead, make my day!".

So I left them alone to sort things out and about 30 minutes later I went out to check on things. They had given up on getting back into the main coop but when they saw me, they came galloping across the drive and followed me down to the road to meet the Fed x delivery van.

I asked him if he wanted a rooster or two. They wouldn't be any trouble. He could let them ride in the back. He was chuckling as he pulled away, leaving me to lead our two idiot roosters back to the barn.

It's just so darn hard to stay adament about turning a bad behaving rooster into dinner when its following around like you are a devine being that hands out treats.,