My neighbor's rooster

[123ChickieLou]

Mine and my neighbor's chickens run together (free range) during the day. They go between our yards as they please through a hole in the fence. My neighbor has a small rooster, bantam of some sort I think. He's been getting agressive in our yard towards us. He doesn't come seek us out to attack but if we get close to him or what he thinks is his space, he'll start posturing and eventually attack if we stand ground or fight back.

I have a three-year old little girl that's spunky enough to swat him if he comes at her and she has. But the rooster has taken it a bit further and is attacking her higher and higher. As in first it was just at her feet which are usually covered in rubber boots, next couple of days he started flapping and jumping a little when he'd go at her, and the last time he jumped up and got her on the hand.

They've always allowed my chicken(s) range of their yard too and are very nice about seeing that my chicken gets home for the night and about the birds sharing the space. We've traded feed and supplies a few times too.

As I write this I realize the answer is not to let the chickens share yards and space anymore, as in fence out. If he were my bird, he'd be lunch, or at least a light snack but he's not, so I can't.

Oh- They have, or had a bantam hen too that I haven't seen for a few days. I did see the rooster attempting to mount her a couple of times so I'm thinking she's sitting on eggs or something got her. Could either of these scenarios cause the rooster to act out?

 

[KDK1]

I would have a talk with the neighbor about fixing the fence. They would have to understand about the attacks on your child. If that doesn't work you could make some dumplings. You have the right to protect your family.

 

[Beekissed]

Chickens die mysteriously all the time....what a pity if you found him lying in your yard. Dead.

 

[stormylady]

I would just explain the situation to the neighbor. Maybe they will be willing to keep the Roo in the run or whatever setup they have. The sound like good people from what you said. IT could be anything with the hen being MIA, I hope shes sitting eggs though.

 

[123ChickieLou]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I do love roo- *ahem* -chicken and dumplings

Actually we both rent from the same landlord so the fence is a non-issue really and since it's my problem, I'll be the one to fix it. They really are good people and very responsible with their birds. If it keeps up after trying to keep the rooster out (ie him hopping the fence) then I'll talk to them. Would clipping my girl's wings keep her from hopping the fence? I noticed that their hen's wings are clipped.

I saw their son out tending their three younger birds today and he said the hen IS on eggs, so yay for that! Between us we have nine birds of varying ages, plus what comes of the eggs.

Obviously the rooster isn't going to learn not to attack us or he'd have gotten the message from the swats my DD has landed him. Their big hen isn't phased by the rooster, he postures at her and she pecks him, he jumps her and she ignores him or pecks him. This is how I know he won't learn

 

[123ChickieLou]

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[stormylady]

Obviously the rooster isn't going to learn not to attack us or he'd have gotten the message from the swats my DD has landed him. Their big hen isn't phased by the rooster, he postures at her and she pecks him, he jumps her and she ignores him or pecks him. This is how I know he won't learn

Not sticking up for the Roo here, but a little girl swatting a Rooster is not the same as dominating it. In fact I would think thats more of a challege to him. I know he is not your rooster so your options are limited here, Honestly he doesn't sound like a mean Rooster just one that is doing his job to the best of his ability, It just sounds to me like he has no respect for humans, does he treat his own humans the same way? If not , I would say that he views your family as a threat and needs to stay in his own yard but I would talk to them and tell them whats going on and why you want him to be kept out of your yard, Whoever fixes the fence doesn't matter, but if fixing the fence doesn't keep him in their yard then they need to take measures to keep him confined, otherwise chicken and Dumplins it is.

 

[centrarchid]

This may be a rare situation where another rooster would help. Consider acquiring standard size full-adult people friendly rooster. He can thump the bantam keeping the little punks testosterone levels down and man-fighting tendecies suppressed as well.

 

[123ChickieLou]

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See, that's another thing I thought about! I just can't deal with trying out roosters till I find one that's a good fit. Any suggestions for that?

 

[123ChickieLou]

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I completely agree with you. He's not a mean little guy, he's just gotten more agressive lately. I completely understand what you're saying about my little one swatting him, that he just sees it a a challenge. That's how I know her doing that isn't going to work, well, that and because he still tries to pick on the bigger hen. I won't let her do it anymore for that reason. If I did let her, or encourage her, that would be neglegent on my part and I could hardly blame the rooster for any injury to her after that. Now I tell her to ignore him or just move away from him. Like you said, I'm sure he's just doing his job; a job I'd want done if the shoe were on the other foot.

Another person suggested me getting a full-sized rooster to help keep the little guy in check. As I told them, I've thought about that and am considering it. But the objective for me is to protect my daughter so I don't know if a big rooster would accomplish that.

Thoughts?