Just found a Rooster in my flock

[hokankai]

You won't know for sure until it happens. I have the best rooster I could have asked for. Sweet, cautious, and has never attacked anyone in any way. I agree with the toddler comment, you just can't take chances leaving him within flogging distance. However, he may never become aggressive towards humans. It isn't a sudden snap in his personality, it'll be gradual. Look for signs of boldness, like running up to you without caution or rising hackles. Until you know he's not going to become aggressive I'd keep the kiddy away.

I like to give my roosters the benefit of the doubt unless they show any signs of dominance towards me, then they're outta here!

 

[VespaGirl]

Thanks! I think I may be better off not taking that chance. I'm sad because I really like him.

 

[hokankai]

Good for you. That's just one of the difficult parts of chicken-keeping unfortunately :\

 

[bcboy]

How would I go about rehoming him? Craigslist? My husband wants to eat him but I just can't do that to my daughters favorite chicken. Although if someone else ate him......

I would put ads up on all the free sites like kijiji

 

[VespaGirl]

I have an ad on Craisglist-I also put feelers on Facebook but no bites. Hope some one somewhere wants him. The only other option is the SPCA but I hate to have to do that.

 

[hokankai]

Why couldn't you eat him? She wouldn't know and it's a lot better than him being euthanized at an animal shelter, which isn't unlikely.

 

[theoldchick]

Don't forget your local feed store. You can place a notice on the bulletin board.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Craigslist is a great way to re-home. At 5 months he's perfect for entering another's flock or as a meat bird. Take a picture of him for better chances of not re-homing to a pot. We culled out unwanted roosters here, didn't let the young girls see the process but they had no problems with the cycle of life and eating the resulting gumbo.

Some roosters are great with families. He may be one of those but I believe all roosters will challenge at least once. If the children are not accustomed to handle it or too young there is potential for a problem. One being a successful challenge leads to more with more aggression. I can't allow my roosters out of run unless I'm the only one outside so they get a few hours of range a few times a week before dark. Our 4 year old girl will soon be able to handle our grown roosters but the 12 year old can't get near them. She somehow incites aggression, a rooster knows she'll run so will charge here from over 20 ft away now. I'm sure with a few more years of handling of all the cockerels hatched out each year the kids will be able to handle one of them grown into a full rooster. Then I can free range more often though wouldn't let others kids in the back yard with roosters out ever. It's 50/50, half the temperament of rooster which is mainly genetic and half the temperament of the person which can be learned.

 

[what did I do]

Why don't you let your husband butcher the rooster while you and the kids catch a movie, have lunch and do a little shopping. The mess needs to be cleaned up by the time you get back. Let the rooster set a few days before you turn him into soup or a hot dish. Do not serve him whole.

 

[daoustaj]

Vets can remove the spurs