My roosters don't like my 3 year old.

[RutledgeA]

Hi everyone,
I have a few rooster behavior questions..
I currently have 2 roosters. I was going to start a bachelor flock they don't fight or anything.. From time to time they will do their "little dominance dance" infront of each other. Over the last 2 years I have had many roosters coming and going and I have only had one that never attacked my son. This morning both of my current roosters teamed up on my son they have attacked him once before. :'( I am at a loss.. I think they are trying to add him to the pecking order.. is that crazy of me to say? He is so nice to them and feeds them every day and loves them... But they are starting to reach a year old and they aren't an aggressive breed they are some sort of silkie cross.. But do you have any ideas what I can do.. With repeats of the pass once they attack my son the first time they continue after.. So I end up getting rid of them.. Any recommendation I hate playing musical roosters I get so attached to some!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Lock those roosters up or get rid of them until your son is old enough to appear more dominant. They are probably trying to dominate him. With the approach of spring hormones are surging, and it will continue to escalate. Unfortunately roosters often go for the face. It's best not to keep roosters with young children for the children's safety.

 

[Folly's place]

I'd recommend getting rid of these cockerels (roosters?) before your son looses an eye, or at least hates chickens forever. He's too young to cope with this situation!
Consider having hens only until he's a few years older!
Reevaluate your management style with cockerels; are you hand feeding, or making them pets? Does your son hand feed, or just act like a normal running shrieking toddler? If you can modify your behaviors, and his, maybe another group of cockerels will produce a winner. Maybe not, though, and you need to react immediately to that first threat to the child, not later.
Mary

 

[RutledgeA]

Thanks guys! These two already have a home lined up tonight! we have been very fortunate that none have ever hurt him these 2 still haven't fully developed their spurs and we kept the previous ones trimmed. He is very docile with the chickens I tell him not scare them. I didnt intend for these 2 to be pets they were just a rescue. I have 9 chicks now.. (not really chicks anymore) and I am hoping to start breeding so I really want a rooster to work out for us. The 9 that we have now stay locked in the pin and me and my son handle them everyday. I am hoping this will give a better out come.. We had a bantam that we kept for maybe 2 week that thing was horrible he haunts my dreams he would attack our car tires! I knew bantam were known for their bad attitudes but they are so gosh darn cute! Lol Do you guys agree handle will have a better turn out for a good rooster?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I personally never handle my growing roosters except to catch them or move them. All grow up respectful and keep their distance. When I used to handle I found it can confuse some roosters and they end up thinking humans are part of the flock.

 

[Shadrach]

Hi everyone,
I have a few rooster behavior questions..
I currently have 2 roosters. I was going to start a bachelor flock they don't fight or anything.. From time to time they will do their "little dominance dance" infront of each other. Over the last 2 years I have had many roosters coming and going and I have only had one that never attacked my son. This morning both of my current roosters teamed up on my son they have attacked him once before. :'( I am at a loss.. I think they are trying to add him to the pecking order.. is that crazy of me to say? He is so nice to them and feeds them every day and loves them... But they are starting to reach a year old and they aren't an aggressive breed they are some sort of silkie cross.. But do you have any ideas what I can do.. With repeats of the pass once they attack my son the first time they continue after.. So I end up getting rid of them.. Any recommendation I hate playing musical roosters I get so attached to some!

You could as a responsible parent and chicken keeper not let your children near the roosters.
There are so many posts that suggest that cockerels in particular do not make suitable pets for children.

 

[RutledgeA]

They free range.. But they are leaving to a new home tonight. I appreciate everyone's idea.

 

[Folly's place]

My cockerels are expected to move out of my way, and aren't handled daily, or treated as 'pets'. They have work to do, watching for danger (not humans!) and treating the ladies.
In my experience, many 'friendly' cockerels are just sizing you up, and will be thinking bad thoughts as they mature.
Mary

 

[centrarchid]

Not all kids, and not all poultry keepers for that matter, are well suited for rooster keeping. If there problems, then get rid of the roosters, at least until the human side is grown up enough to be around them.