INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Crafty chick]

WE GOT OUR FIRST EGG TODAY!!!

HORRAY FOR FIRST EGGS!!! I'm still waiting for 2 of mine to start.

 

[redring]

WE GOT OUR FIRST EGG TODAY!!!

Congrats!! I know how exciting it is. I have two laying now and impatiently waiting for the other two.

 

[Candy442]

When we got back from our weekend trip I found some BIG surprises in the garden.

I'm thinking those would be great for self-defense if the need ever arises.

Yup, I would be a goner just tripping over one of those! Just leave them strewn around the house so a would-be thief to trip over!

 

[Greenthumb83]

Our top cockerel jumped at my son feet first yesterday. I was not outside when it happened, so we went out later together. I wanted to see how Blue acted with him, with me right there. While, Blue always walks away from me (he knows I'm the boss), he stood his ground with my son and raised his hackles. All my son was doing was standing there. I told the kids no more going in without an adult. I'm really bummed, because he has shown such promise as a good roo, but I can't tolerate ANY human aggression. My kids are too small to even begin to fight off an attack. So...it seems we have no choice but to get rid of him.

Is there anything else to be done? I know some people try to "train" a rooster, but my gut says no. Once we start letting the younger group free range with the others, the kids need to be safe. My boy is already afraid. I hate that. He loves those chickens. I don't want them to be afraid of the birds.

 

[Faraday40]

Our top cockerel jumped at my son feet first yesterday. I was not outside when it happened, so we went out later together. I wanted to see how Blue acted with him, with me right there. While, Blue always walks away from me (he knows I'm the boss), he stood his ground with my son and raised his hackles. All my son was doing was standing there. I told the kids no more going in without an adult. I'm really bummed, because he has shown such promise as a good roo, but I can't tolerate ANY human aggression. My kids are too small to even begin to fight off an attack. So...it seems we have no choice but to get rid of him.

Is there anything else to be done? I know some people try to "train" a rooster, but my gut says no. Once we start letting the younger group free range with the others, the kids need to be safe. My boy is already afraid. I hate that. He loves those chickens. I don't want them to be afraid of the birds.

We had the same situation with a pretty lav orp. The roo can sense fear, so it's more training of the kid. The roo was unpredictable, but his behavior was far worse toward our kids. Because my 4 yr old son ran away, the roo already learned that he's #1. The roo had to go.

We started over with diff orps. I kept teaching the kids that they're just birds & to simply pick them up if they suspect trouble. The kids never feared the new roos & the roos never went through that testing phase around 1 year old. (It didn't hurt that they are "Cogburn"'s sons.) Changing roos was a win/win for us. Because there are so many good roos out there, why bother keeping a potential aggressive one?

 

[Greenthumb83]

We had the same situation with a pretty lav orp. The roo can sense fear, so it's more training of the kid. The roo was unpredictable, but his behavior was far worse toward our kids. Because my 4 yr old son ran away, the roo already learned that he's #1. The roo had to go.

We started over with diff orps. I kept teaching the kids that they're just birds & to simply pick them up if they suspect trouble. The kids never feared the new roos & the roos never went through that testing phase around 1 year old. (It didn't hurt that they are "Cogburn"'s sons.) Changing roos was a win/win for us. Because there are so many good roos out there, why bother keeping a potential aggressive one?

Thank you for responding. My son definitely didn't have any fear of the roosters before this happened. He was just hanging out with the girls. He usually makes a trip out for "chicken therapy" during his morning lessons. I think that's why this has me so worried. The roo has recently gotten used to mating the girls (and feels the need to do so 5,000 times a day), so I assume this might have a lot to do with it.
This rooster hasn't been held since he was in the brooder. He is 20 weeks old now, so still pretty young. He has always been standoffish, but well behaved until now.

We have our Australorp roo that is 2 weeks younger. He is afraid of everything. This may be because Blue chases him around the run and also sometimes away from the girls and feeder

or that may just be his personality. He is sweet and lets me hold him. I have wondered if he will fill the role of a flock protector if Blue was not there. They both have their qualities, but I just don't see keeping a jerk around if we have a much nicer option.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I agree. Unfortunately you don't want to test out your training with little ones around.

 

[Leahs Mom]

We have our Australorp roo that is 2 weeks younger. He is afraid of everything. This may be because Blue chases him around the run and also sometimes away from the girls and feeder

or that may just be his personality. He is sweet and lets me hold him. I have wondered if he will fill the role of a flock protector if Blue was not there. They both have their qualities, but I just don't see keeping a jerk around if we have a much nicer option.

@greenthumb

If you remove the dominant one, please watch the #2 carefully.

I had a situation like that and removed the dominant. (same age as yours) As soon as #2 knew that he didn't have the competition from #1, he became even MORE aggressive than #1.

Very unfortunate for them both as one of them is in the crock pot as I type.

 

[Greenthumb83]

I agree. Unfortunately you don't want to test out your training with little ones around.

I'm bummed, but I agree. I may go ahead and separate him out. We have one pullet that is mean as a snake. I told DH if we process Blue, she is going also. I hate to do it, but we said from the start we will cull ruthlessly in terms of temperament. She bites me hard enough to draw blood. Any time I reach out to pet her, she leaves marks on my hands.

 

[Greenthumb83]

@greenthumb

If you remove the dominant one, please watch the #2 carefully.

I had a situation like that and removed the dominant. (same age as yours) As soon as #2 knew that he didn't have the competition from #1, he became even MORE aggressive than #1.

Very unfortunate for them both as one of them is in the crock pot as I type.

I am so worried that may happen. We may very well end up with no roo at all. Granger is already sneak-attacking the pullets any time Blue is out of sight, so I feel he already has that mentality. I do feel it is very likely that he will turn, if I take Blue out. =( If I end up sending them both to freezer camp, I will be on the look out for an Orpington roo. I kinda wish I had gotten some when we got chicks.