How To Raise Roosters Right

[TurtlePowerTrav]

Roosters and kids don't go well together usually. The roosters see the small size and fast, loud movements as a threat. Even though my rooster(Orp) is super docile, I do not let the nieces and nephews run around in the back yard. They are instructed to stay next to us and not make loud noise or move fast. If the kids want to play they go to the front yard or the forest. The back yard is the chickens yard.

 

[azygous]

I get the picture! You're getting an Orphington male chick and want to make sure he gets raised properly. I see no problem with children handling the chick. The same rules apply to them. Very gentle, slow movements. A brooder that is set up on a table with an access panel on the side would be the perfect set-up for kids to safely reach in and handle the chicks. It will be easier for you, too.

Some say male chicks shouldn't be handled, but I've found it makes no difference. The critical period is when they get their hormones. I think it's all for the better if a rooster grows up knowing he can trust the people in his life.

But, if the children are very young, they should be supervised when handling the chicks.

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

I get the picture! You're getting an Orphington male chick and want to make sure he gets raised properly. I see no problem with children handling the chick. The same rules apply to them. Very gentle, slow movements. A brooder that is set up on a table with an access panel on the side would be the perfect set-up for kids to safely reach in and handle the chicks. It will be easier for you, too.

Some say male chicks shouldn't be handled, but I've found it makes no difference. The critical period is when they get their hormones. I think it's all for the better if a rooster grows up knowing he can trust the people in his life.

But, if the children are very young, they should be supervised when handling the chicks.

x2, usually as chicks the males will be the more friendly ones.

 

[nothingbutbirds]

Roosters and childeren together should be watched
one thing you never want around childeren is this

 

[missnu01]

Is that a chicken?

 

[nothingbutbirds]

Is that a chicken?

no he is a bobwhite quail and he is evil.he chases and bites people(ecxept me)they have like spiked sudes on their beak and it rips tgings easy.

 

[Naughty]

I must be blessed. I have 3 roos... 18 girls and 3 peafowl. 2 of my boys were part of a batch I bought when they were very young. I was new to chicks and ended up with 5 roos. They are mutts one looks like a buff and one is a big ol red. Every night we went to the coop and pet them and cuddled them.... and called them by name. We thought they were all hens so we made pets of them.

At the time I had a little banty we'd raised from day one who I was using all the tricks on. He was basically ok with occasional bouts of bad. As long as they left my kid alone he was ok. I never left her alone of course. My rule is one strike and you're out if you mess with the kid. I noticed my big boys never were aggressive. They got along well with each other and let us scratch their back. The banty was alpha. One day he had his one strike and rushed the kid. He was gone!

My buff roo just stepped up as alpha and protects the girls. He eats treats and cuddles. He doesn't jump on laps but will sit there if youu pick him up. My big red was a bit timid at first but now loves to eat out of my hand... he is now called 'momma's boy' doesn't ever get aggressive with people and eats out of my kids hand. She talks and sings to him. We even keep our lil yapper dog in the yard and roos don't bother with him. Big red does get nervous if I let others in the coop but I just tell him to be good and he calms. However I think i f someone came in when I wasn't there he would be aggressive. We don't know because the dog will not let anyone in the yard without me.


I do know I will never ever tolerate an animal in my yard who doesn't know his/her place and that I am alpha

 

[bbsnooks]

I've read through the whole thread, and didn't see any mention by the OP that they have roosters already,

If you have the choice, pick a heavy breed, as they're more likely to be calm. Even so, you need to raise them to trust you, and that means calm behavior around them from the time they're babies. Don't do anything to scare them, such as snatch them up from above. Always approach any chick from the side, slowly.

As a rooster gets his hormones, between five and six months, he's at his touchiest. It's especially important not to make sudden or loud movements or startle him. Approach all the hens in a like manner, and avoid making any hen upset in front of the rooster. Whether you handle the roo or not, isn't as important as not doing anything to make him fear you or distrust you. Any discipline needs to be done in a firm, slow, deliberate and calm manner, such as holding him down with his head on the ground when he makes an aggressive move. But then you need to examine what it was YOU did that caused him not to trust you.

Thanks this helps me. I want to building mutual trust and respect - it just isnt "common sense " to me just yet. - slow and no startle.. and dont threaten the hens.

?? what is OP ? <pardon.. im not up on the abbreviations yet>

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

?? what is OP ? <pardon.. im not up on the abbreviations yet>

OP is Original Poster

 

[bj taylor]

I have a black australorp roo. Couldn't ask for better. I kinda treat him like a livestock guardian. He has a job to do. He's a year old. I can't imagine having chickens without him. He's saved the girls several time.