I might have made a big mistake with this rooster

[Khoree]

Agree with the other posters that keeping a rooster with these behaviors isn't a good idea- just consider the liability issues should a young child draw his attention- never mind that having chickens is supposed to be fun for you and your family, not a source of stress.

If you decide to add another rooster, please please wait until the older pullets have started to lay. i.e. wait until they're 6-7 months old and add a 3-4 month old rooster- as this puts the girls firmly in charge of developing his manners, and makes it easier to integrate with your brahma roo, if you keep him.

Your young brahma rooster may start trying to mate with the girls before they are ready as roosters generally mature earlier than hens, but under no circumstances should he come after YOU or any other person. It's just one of those facts of rooster-hood - Every new flock goes through that when the rooster and his hens grow up together, and remember that doesn't mean your younger brahma roo is a bad fellow. There will be head grabbing, screaming etc. while they figure out the mechanics of 'the act', but once the older pullets start to lay and they 'figure things out' that will largely subside. But having the problem roo going after the 2.5mo old pullets is not acceptable.

As far as your acquired adult problem roo goes - to put this in perspective, I've got ... 8 ... full grown roosters that share the same (huge) space and same hens and not a single one would even consider going after a person. Ever. Every last one of them will move out of my way and respect my space, which took zero 'training' - and I do not look over my shoulder.

The day I wonder if I'm going to be attacked is that rooster's last day, which happily- has never happened. At night I can walk right up to anyone on the roost, right next to any rooster, and grab the hen beside him, who may even make a big loud fuss - and expect that they'll stay right where they are.

On the 'what to do' with him front - invitation to your dinner table is one idea - or you can advertise him as "food use OK, people aggressive"- full disclosure should you pass him along.

This is all really good advice. Thanks. My little roo seems to be a nice fella...so far. He does not like to be handled but he will sit down next to me and sleep. And he takes treats from my hand. I have 8 smaller chicks in the brooder and the freebie has bigger legs than the ones I know are female. So he may be a roo. I put a roost in front of the brooder so everybody can see and visit with each other. I hope this will make the process easier. I really would like more than one rooster.

 

[3KillerBs]

Good for you doing what had to be done.

It took me a few tries to get the broomstick method right but I consoled myself with the thought that the first, unsuccessful attempt almost certainly knocked the bird senseless so that there wasn't any suffering.

 

[Shezadandy]

This is all really good advice. Thanks. My little roo seems to be a nice fella...so far. He does not like to be handled but he will sit down next to me and sleep. And he takes treats from my hand. I have 8 smaller chicks in the brooder and the freebie has bigger legs than the ones I know are female. So he may be a roo. I put a roost in front of the brooder so everybody can see and visit with each other. I hope this will make the process easier. I really would like more than one rooster.

Good for you for doing what needed doing. It's a very hard step- I'm still not used it. I've dispatched a couple of young roos for relentlessly harassing hens - one fixated on a single hen and chased her around at breakneck speed no matter what she did. I removed him for several days and when reintroduced he went right back to it.

Some will give roosters like that a chance (the ones that aren't people aggressive but are aggressive with the hens) to mature, house them separately and to let the hormones perhaps settle down, but after raising however many cockerels I've hatched- there are plenty of young cockerels who handle their transition from chick to adolescent to breeding age without being a menace to the flock. All but the 2 in my case to date. Both my problem cockerels were from the same line of hens, and I stopped hatching from that line for that reason.

When circumstances call for it, I've gone with a hatchet, small, light, and very easy to aim, and a board that has screws placed wide enough for the head. No matter the circumstances, even when it's a hen suffering end of life issues and it's the kindest thing - taking a life is never easy. I'm glad you took his welfare and experience being housed in a cage into account.

Sounds like you might end up with 2 roos after all! If I may offer further advice, once I know I've got a cockerel, I don't handle them unless absolutely necessary (injury), and I would also wean off the hand given treats. Not saying don't give treats- but I would offer them on the ground. Visiting is good, being nearby is good - but soon his job will be tending the girls.

Hands=food can go from a sweet interaction to something else that's hard to imagine when they're young and curious and friendly. Close proximity to people for us means one thing, but to the rooster, especially as his interest turns to hens, can morph into something else. This will sound extra stupid, I know - but from his perspective as a rooster - who would be picking out yummy things for him to eat and feeding them to him? Answer: his momma hen. And unfortunately once he's grown ... momma hen isn't off limits just because she raised him.

Too many report that the friendly little cuddly cockerel turned into something else. By setting the precedent of letting him be in your personal bubble (hand feeding and petting and picking up), the relationship is altered and he views your personal space (say, 4ft in all directions) as - HIS. 8 weeks is a good cut off point. It's good that he likes to be around.

I'll add in here that what we interpret as friendliness by a certain age can actually be the rooster asserting himself and testing boundaries. Setting the boundary now is important for you and for all others who enjoy your flock. This can be accomplished by feeding treats on the ground, at least an arm's length away - and letting him be. As tempting as it can be, don't crow back when he starts making noise, and don't let those who visit make crowing sounds at him. (pea sized roo brain, remember!)

The main point is to set the relationship of him becoming rooster who takes care of the flock, gives appropriate respectful space to you and all other people - and you - human that brings food, water, and treats (fed on the ground). It's relatively easy to achieve when you think of it as a business relationship. He's got his job- you respect his space and duties - he respects yours.

I'm around my flock frequently but I do a hands off approach with all roosters as soon as I know I've got one. If I need to handle any of the chickens, be they hens or roosters - (unless there's an urgent medical reason that requires immediate attention) I wait until they've gone to bed on the roost and pick them up from there so as to never create the dynamic of following the rooster - or having him feel like you're chasing his flock.

 

[cassie]

This rooster is not going to improve with age. If anything he will get worse. He needs to go in the crockpot. Either do it yourself or give him to someone who will. Do not rehome him to someone who intends to keep him. I have said this before. An attacking rooster can injure you. One trip to the ER will buy an awful lot of chicken food.

 

[Shezadandy]

This rooster is not going to improve with age. If anything he will get worse. He needs to go in the crockpot. Either do it yourself or give him to someone who will. Do not rehome him to someone who intends to keep him. I have said this before. An attacking rooster can injure you. One trip to the ER will buy an awful lot of chicken food.

The OP did indeed dispatch the problem roo.

We're adding tips on getting off on the right foot for the young (2 month old) cockerel who has shown no problems, and what could be a second (chick age) cockerel going forward.

 

[HeatherKellyB]

Welcome!
This bird isn't who you need! Move him on, with full disclosure, and maybe your younger cockerel will work out better.
Nobody is having a good time here, and your child, and these pullets deserve better.
Mary

AS soon as I finished reading this, I thought, "I'm going to tag @Folly's place ". Youre already here. I would love to hear some of your rooster/cockerel stories, as you seem to have a lot of experience here and I am grateful for it. So often I can hear you (what I think you sound like) saying some of the things you say here, and advising me, while dealing with some of my jerks that are living on borrowed time. I LOVE reading your replies, especially so when it's about roosters/cockerels! Thank you for always being so honest