My AWESOME Rooster

[sophiaw00]

Yes, I am still very happy and proud of him

. Today was another day they were allowed to free range, and he kept an eye out the whole time. I'll definatley have to hatch some eggs with him, get some more good roos out there

 

[sophiaw00]

My rooster isn't being so cool anymore

. He bit my hand and drew blood, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt and said it was because it was getting dark and I was handling one of the hens right next to him.

But then last night, my splash marans, Daisy, got up next to him on the roost and he kept pecking her in the back of the neck until she eventually flew off the roost. Whats wrong with him? He's already fully mature...

 

[scratch'n'peck]

My rooster isn't being so cool anymore

. He bit my hand and drew blood, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt and said it was because it was getting dark and I was handling one of the hens right next to him.

But then last night, my splash marans, Daisy, got up next to him on the roost and he kept pecking her in the back of the neck until she eventually flew off the roost. Whats wrong with him? He's already fully mature...

Roosting time in the evening seems to be a common time for conflict. He may have a hen higher on the pecking order who he likes to have roost next to him or something. My hens seem to do that to each other at roosting time, and they generally make a ruckus then. The bite he gave you is more of a concern. Try to move slowly around him, but if he bites again, you might need to show him you are alpha rooster and firmly but gently push his back down with his head toward the ground until he submits.

 

[Alexandra33]

My rooster isn't being so cool anymore

. He bit my hand and drew blood, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt and said it was because it was getting dark and I was handling one of the hens right next to him.

But then last night, my splash marans, Daisy, got up next to him on the roost and he kept pecking her in the back of the neck until she eventually flew off the roost. Whats wrong with him? He's already fully mature...

I'm actually in the same boat, Sophia. This morning as I was bending over to collect a duck egg off the coop floor, T.Roo rushed over and bit me hard enough on the hand to make a substantial red mark. Not cool! Sadly, we're going to have to rehome him since I have little brothers to worry about. Any signs of aggression aren't acceptable around here under those conditions.

-Alex

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

Daryl is beautiful. I am so sorry to hear that he has begun to show signs of aggression towards you. Roosters can be so unpredictable.

 

[sophiaw00]

Roosting time in the evening seems to be a common time for conflict.  He may have a hen higher on the pecking order who he likes to have roost next to him or something.  My hens seem to do that to each other at roosting time, and they generally make a ruckus then.  The bite he gave you is more of a concern.  Try to move slowly around him, but if he bites again, you might need to show him you are alpha rooster and firmly but gently push his back down with his head toward the ground until he submits.

This happened on the roost that is out in the run. Daryl doesn't sleep inside the coop. I think he thinks he's too large for the roost in there, and because it's still warm at night and my run is predator proof I leave him be. I am getting a new roost though for winter that will be big enough for him. Anyways, his favorite two hens never try to roost with him outside, so he doesn't really expect them or want them next to him. They always sleep inside and he herds them into the coop. Daisy happens to be another one his favorite actually but he still pecked her until she was forced off the roost. Could it be that he was protecting another one of the girls? What I mean by that is that Vivi is a pullet that I got when I bought him. She sleeps next to him outside because she is brutally bullied by the other girls. She was attacked once and he stood over her until I went out and checked on them. Daisy & Dixie were the attackers (two of his favorites). When this happened, Vivi was on one side of him and Daisy on the other. Daisy hasn't been aggressive towards Vivi in a week or two, but maybe he was still trying to protect her?

 

[sophiaw00]

I'm actually in the same boat, Sophia. This morning as I was bending over to collect a duck egg off the coop floor, T.Roo rushed over and bit me hard enough on the hand to make a substantial red mark. Not cool! Sadly, we're going to have to rehome him since I have little brothers to worry about. Any signs of aggression aren't acceptable around here under those conditions.

-Alex

I'm so sorry about T.Roo! I understand having to rehome him though. I really hope you are able to find someone who will take good care of him & gives him a great home.

 

[Alexandra33]

I'm so sorry about T.Roo! I understand having to rehome him though. I really hope you are able to find someone who will take good care of him & gives him a great home.

Thank you.

I am hoping that someone will be willing to take him, because it seems that roos are pretty hard to rehome. Anyway, I don't feel too bad about giving him up after what happened last night. He viciously attacked and chased Boo and Cookie out of the coop, so that was the straw that broke the camel's back. Nobody messes with my two favorite little girls!

-Alex

 

[sophiaw00]

Thank you.

I am hoping that someone will be willing to take him, because it seems that roos are pretty hard to rehome. Anyway, I don't feel too bad about giving him up after what happened last night. He viciously attacked and chased Boo and Cookie out of the coop, so that was the straw that broke the camel's back. Nobody messes with my two favorite little girls!

-Alex

Yeah, that's definatley not good! Especially considering he's only 12 weeks (?).

If Daryl keeps being aggressive to the girls when they are on the roost, I will probably have to rehome him as well.

 

[scratch'n'peck]

Quote: Maybe he was trying to be protective or just showing dominance. As long as he did not hurt her it probably doesn't signify a big problem.