I feel sorry for my mean roo

[Kidsandpets]

Hi, I've been reading this forum for months but this is my first post. I have a roo and 3 hens. I got the roo from my sister in law, so not exactly sure of his age but I'd guess maybe 2 years old. He recently started going for me and my 4 year old son. So today after another attack, I isolated him in a 6' x 8' run, within the bigger run. At dusk he got very stressed trying to get out to be with his girls in the main coop. I feel sorry for him, but I have to get rid of him, my poor son is too scared to feed the hens or collect eggs anymore. I'm going to try to rehome him. Is it cruel to keep him separated from his girls while I look for a home? I'm really not comfortable going into the run when he's loose, but I don't want him stressed out either. What should I do?

 

[theoldchick]

Protect your child at all costs. Keep the randy rooster separated.

 

[Pinky]

Quote:

If it were my rooster, he would be dinner by now.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I vote to keep the roo separated until you rehome him. You are protecting your family from an attack animal. Really.

 

[Kidsandpets]

Thanks for your replies. The kids are safe because they won't go into the run anymore, but I'm not enjoying my hens anymore because I'm anticipating an attack. I can't relax when I'm with them. I'll keep him isolated and rehome him.
Thanks again.

 

[Nostalchic]

I'm sure you've considered this, but if you rehome a mean rooster, someone else is going to have to deal with him or - more likely - eat him. He's just doing what comes naturally, but most humans don't appreciate that sort of thing, and someone else is either going to get hurt, or hurt him trying to be "dominant", or just kill him and eat him AFTER he's undergone the stress of being separated from his hens, and then going to a new place, etc. If you can bring yourself to do it, I think leaving him with his flock until you're ready, and then quickly dispatching him is the most humane and ethical thing to do, and they do make a good meal. Just MHO.

 

[CMV]

When I started with chickens I never had roos. In fact, I would likely still be roo-less if I hadn't got an accidental roo in a batch of sexed pullets this past year. When you have children it makes sense to keep only hens. My daughter is getting big enough now to fend off a nasty roo, but my roo is on notice and may end up in the pot if he gives her any grief at all this upcoming year. She greatly enjoys being around the chickens, but has to be very cautious around them since Z (short for Tetrazinni) showed up. She used to carry chickens around the yard, play with them, feed them, chase them occasionally, but can't do any of these things anymore. Z keeps the girls safe, but at the expense of a lot of fun we used to have with the girls.

Keep him isolated until you find a new home for him. He'll be fine until he goes.

Good luck.

 

[sawmane1]

you should make broth he is an old roo rite?

 

[Kidsandpets]

I know he's just doing what is natural for a roo. And he is very good to the hens, he'll herd them out of the rain, let them eat first, chase away birds that try steal their food. And even with only 3 hens he doesn't over mate with them either. I actually like him!
And yes I know I'm passing on the problem if I rehome him. My Sil is considering taking him back (she lost all but 2 hens to a mink) and she doesn't really go into her run too much, and of course i've told her of his behaviour. So he may just get to go back to his original home. But for now I think I'll keep him isolated.

 

[sourland]

Protect your child and yourself . The inconvenience he is now experiencing he brought upon himself. Many would have killed him so he's really lucky even in "solitary."