Mean Roosters!

[GrandmaChickie]

I actually am getting rid of a hen tonight because of a personality problem. She's not mean to us, but to younger or smaller chickens. I'm not talking about the normal establishing the pecking order stuff--she jumps on them and rakes them with her spurs. Although I've raised her from a day old, she's gone! Before she kills someone smaller than her. I have a small flock and there's no room for someone who acts like an a-hole, as one poster so eloquently put it earlier. She's not even fun to have, as all the other chickens come running to us and will jump up on our arms like trained falcons! LOL! She runs away as if we had beat her every day of her life--we haven't!! So, just saying, sometimes it doesn't matter how nice you are or how much you try to interact "properly" with them, just like people, there are ones who are just a-holes! Oh, and no, I'm not killing her--she's just going to a new home where she isn't expected to be a pet, but just like the chicken she is. Not really her fault she doesn't want to be a pet.

 

[ashandvine]

Can a young roo be rehabbed?

 

[chefchick]

I find freezer camp to be great rehab!

 

[happyhour4pm]

This is a good thread for someone who has had a beloved roo that went to the dark side

My first hatch included this chick that stood out from the rest. Always the first to jump into your hands and just really stands out and craves humane attention.. I of course had no clue if it was a roo or hen . Well there comes a day when that chick starts to grow up and become what turns out to be a beautiful rooster. He is BEAUTIFUL colorul and still lets you pick him up and cuddle. We have a bunch of photos with every one holding this sweet boy........ : )
Well a week later my mom comes over and he attacks her out of the blue and it is just down hill from there.........
I wish I could have sent him to kettle camp but I am to much of a puss and tried to rehome him instead. I gave him to some one who just had misfit animals and no hens for him to protect. Well the poor nice guy i gave him to showed me his scares from my rooster a week later............
I learned a lesson that day...................
I have got to find the courage to kill and eat these ungrateful birds and at least get some thing for all the money i have invested in feeding there nasty asses.......
I know have some really beautiful and nice roos that are a pleasure to own and don't have to fear...

 

[ChickDaze]

I had three, and one attacked me. Went out with a tennis racquet and wacked him. He went after my brother; he got wacked again. He didn't attack again, but we did get rid of him, just in case, to someone who knew how to handle it.

 

[ashandvine]

LOL. I agree for the real meanies. I've had Roo Stoo (stew) a few times. Now that I am getting a new 1yo Lav roo I'd hate to lose him. I am getting him for breeding and have heard he is good to hens but not the seller's wife. I recall reading somewhere about how to behave so a roo wouldn't feel the need to challenge you... but I forgot the info

 

[nwtruckgirl]

We have a beautiful Cochin rooster. We recently bred him and I think the chick will be a rooster, too. the daddy is mean as the devil and has proven to be better stuffed. For anyone who's hatched chicks, is there a chance the baby will be nicer for having been raised by the hen that hatched him?

 

[Red Barn Farms]

This isn't the first thread I've read about 'mean' BO roosters. Makes me wonder how mine will turn out when they reach maturity. I've always read how docile this breed is. Is someone not telling the truth? LOL. I think I have two or maybe three BO cockerels. Four BO's total. I know two will become roosters but not sure of the third. Two of them always run away and will not let you near them. The third however runs up to me wanting to be picked up and enjoys sitting in my arms and purrs. Maybe he's really a she? Oh well, time will tell.

One BO boy does "biggest one" named Sir William, start to ruffle his neck feathers and flaps his wings when I go into their run area but still he stays away from me. If I walk up to him he will run away and hide. He has tried to peck me a few times when I 'bother' them while they roost at night. My fault I guess but I can't help petting them! It's also the time I usually take to check them out for signs of lice, infections, etc. It's the best time for me because that's when they are most calm.

So far all of my flock are very calm and gentle. I always move in slow motion while around them and make as little noise is possible. My flock all come to me when called except those two BO roosters.


Our 'Hen House" Flock:

4 Buff Orpingtons
6 Red Stars
2 Rhode Island Reds
2 Plymouth Barred Rocks
3 Australorps