Patinas
Songster
I never planned to have a rooster when I began raising my first flock this spring but Phyllis turned out to be Phil, a very handsome Golden Laced Wyandotte.
Phil had a nice disposition in that he was very respectful towards the hens and never tried to attack me but he was showing some dominant behaviors like crowing right next to me, giving me the stink eye, sneaking up behind me and mating right in front of me. I never let him intimidate me by walking around or away from him or purposely turning my back to him.
I have read so many stories on here about "nice" roosters attacking people, even as long as 3 -4 years down the road before the rooster suddenly attacked. It freaked me out! What I took from those stories is that I'm never going to be able to wholly trust mine. So I made the decision to not keep him and was fortunate that I found a home for him and his new owner is thrilled with him so far.
In my case, I have no desire to raise chicks from eggs and my hens only free range when I'm home to supervise and help watch for predators (our dog helps with that too, even flying ones!) So for my situation, it was not a hard decision to let Phil go and I already notice I am not always looking over my shoulder to see where he was and what he was doing.
I applaud those of you who have been able to keep a respectful rooster! It just isn't a risk I'm willing to take since even nice roosters can suddenly one day attack.
I'm going to print this pic of Phil, frame it and hang it in the coop for the girls as eye candy! Ha ha ha!
Phil had a nice disposition in that he was very respectful towards the hens and never tried to attack me but he was showing some dominant behaviors like crowing right next to me, giving me the stink eye, sneaking up behind me and mating right in front of me. I never let him intimidate me by walking around or away from him or purposely turning my back to him.
I have read so many stories on here about "nice" roosters attacking people, even as long as 3 -4 years down the road before the rooster suddenly attacked. It freaked me out! What I took from those stories is that I'm never going to be able to wholly trust mine. So I made the decision to not keep him and was fortunate that I found a home for him and his new owner is thrilled with him so far.
In my case, I have no desire to raise chicks from eggs and my hens only free range when I'm home to supervise and help watch for predators (our dog helps with that too, even flying ones!) So for my situation, it was not a hard decision to let Phil go and I already notice I am not always looking over my shoulder to see where he was and what he was doing.
I applaud those of you who have been able to keep a respectful rooster! It just isn't a risk I'm willing to take since even nice roosters can suddenly one day attack.
I'm going to print this pic of Phil, frame it and hang it in the coop for the girls as eye candy! Ha ha ha!
