Nasty Rooster Behavior

[Nupe]

I'm saying they don't base their trust in you because they understand you kill and eat chicken, even when you do it in front of them. Their fear of predators is instinctual. If it's coming after you, run and hide. Once you acclimate them to you, they no longer view you as a predator. Then it's a matter of where you are in their pecking order.

The ideal rooster won't even consider humans as a members of their pecking order. These are the sweethearts. The tolerant roosters either don't care for human affection or just view you at the top of their pecking order. The mean roosters who seem to be hardwired to fight for that top spot will always look for an opportunity to take your place forcing you to watch your back around him. I refuse to do that. With all the sweethearts out there needing homes, a meanie is better off as soup.

 

[Country Chickie]

yeah I kinda figured. It was kind of a stupid question lol but I just wanted to make sure, like I said, that eating him would be our last resort. Thank you for letting me know, I will get things taken care of. Still kind of a newbie chicken owner.

 

[Nupe]

Not a stupid question, but rather a very common one. I had similar questions as my flock was maturing. I found out the hard way that raising the boys and girls together at the same age was a recipe for disaster. I ended up rehoming my bully to a mature flock and eating my human aggressive roo. Next spring, I'll cull a few older hens and raise a few more hens with a roo. The rest of the flock hopefully will put him in his place. Budget willing, I'll probably look for a breeder that takes rooster temperament into consideration.

Unfortunately, any thread that mentions culling or eating as an option to rooster aggression has a tendency to get derailed into a philosophical discussion. I know I probably shouldn't debate it every time but I don't want the OP (in this case, you) to get the impression that eating your chicken is not an option or worse, is somehow wrong.

 

[pfields]

I gave my GSL rooster chance after chance and then one morning he got me from behind and then from the front. Got both of my legs with his spurs. Had to go to the ER to get antibiotics to prevent infection and pain meds. His spurs went to the bone on my right leg in the front and on my left leg the bone in the front and below the ankle bone. My left foot was so swollen and painful I couldn't walk for two days. It had been three weeks since he had come at me. I made the mistake of not paying close enough attention to him.

 

[pdirt]

I gave my GSL rooster chance after chance and then one morning he got me from behind and then from the front. Got both of my legs with his spurs. Had to go to the ER to get antibiotics to prevent infection and pain meds. His spurs went to the bone on my right leg in the front and on my left leg the bone in the front and below the ankle bone. My left foot was so swollen and painful I couldn't walk for two days. It had been three weeks since he had come at me. I made the mistake of not paying close enough attention to him.

So sorry this happened to you. Thank you for sharing your experience here on BYC. While I have not often read of such aggressive attacks by roosters, it does happen. Sharing your story will hopefully help educate new folks the responsibility that comes with keeping roosters.

 

[Free Feather]

Not a stupid question, but rather a very common one. I had similar questions as my flock was maturing. I found out the hard way that raising the boys and girls together at the same age was a recipe for disaster. I ended up rehoming my bully to a mature flock and eating my human aggressive roo. Next spring, I'll cull a few older hens and raise a few more hens with a roo. The rest of the flock hopefully will put him in his place. Budget willing, I'll probably look for a breeder that takes rooster temperament into consideration.

Unfortunately, any thread that mentions culling or eating as an option to rooster aggression has a tendency to get derailed into a philosophical discussion. I know I probably shouldn't debate it every time but I don't want the OP (in this case, you) to get the impression that eating your chicken is not an option or worse, is somehow wrong.

And I always want to make sure that the OP knows that there are PLENTY of ways to avoid being hurt without killing the guy for doing what he is supposed to. I want them to know there are other options that the birds would appreciate more in case they really care about their chickens, and I want them to know that it is not wrong (contrary to popular belief) to not be willing to lop off heads at the drop of a hat. Most are not willing to feel or think that way, but I want to put it out there for those who care, and some do.

 

[pdirt]

Quote:
I don't know who you've been talking to, but most folks I know (myself included) do not "lop off heads at the drop of a hat". Every time we've done so, it was not a decision made lightly or it was a pre-meditated decision (in the case of raising chickens for meat). Perhaps you've only met mad-crazy chicken murderers so far, folks with a bloodlust for killing chickens. I don't think I've met those folks yet.

I do agree with you that there are options for dealing with unwanted chickens that do not involve killing them, but it takes some work and effort to find those opportunities, if necessary. And sometimes, due to the poor state of health of the chicken, the most humane thing is to kill them. Put them out of their misery. Ask any veterinary doctor (they could make a lot of money by expensive extreme healthcare measures, but they don't because it is kinder to the animal to help them go.)

Some people have the resources (money and/or land) to take in all the chickens they want, as a refuge. Most people don't. If you look hard enough, you might find one of these refuges near you. It's a split amongst many here on BYC...do you raise chickens as livestock or pets? We never intended our chickens to be pets. It's a question I often ask newcomers to BYC so I know how to better respond to their questions. We love and care for our chickens, but not in the same way we do for our dog. If a healthy chicken has ceased to be useful for us (and after efforts on our part..not at the drop of a hat), we usually choose to put them in the freezer (sometimes we do find a home for them). For those raising chickens as pets, this will never be an option, but the responsibility is much greater to make for good lives for all those chickens...the chickens one never intended to have, such as the dreaded "chicken math" or when those for-sure females turn out to be 90% roosters. They have to go somewhere and there in lies the problem...finding such a place. Like I said, I agree with you that such options are available, but they are not always as easy to find as people might first think.

 

[ccrow]

I guess I've been lucky... I have a two year old goldenlaced Wyandotte roo who, while he has gone for me a few times, seems just scared enough of me that he's never really lit into me. I've had a few go-rounds with him when he's gotten aggressive; he's been pretty good lately. I've noticed, though, he seems to think it's my shoes that he has to puff up at- if I'm barefoot or wearing flip-flops, he generally is fine, but sometimes when I'm wearing shoes and turn my back I will hear him come rushing up behind me, although he stops short of any contact. This year one of the six sexed pullets I got turned out to be a roo also. Waiting to see how things go, so far to my knowledge there has been little or no conflict between them. But the young one stays well clear of the older one.

 

[keesmom]

And I always want to make sure that the OP knows that there are PLENTY of ways to avoid being hurt without killing the guy for doing what he is supposed to. I want them to know there are other options that the birds would appreciate more in case they really care about their chickens, and I want them to know that it is not wrong (contrary to popular belief) to not be willing to lop off heads at the drop of a hat. Most are not willing to feel or think that way, but I want to put it out there for those who care, and some do.

Personally I do not agree human aggressiveness in a male results in behavior that can described as "doing what he is supposed to". The males I choose to keep do not consider me as a threat and as a result don't even notice me as as I tend to their feeders and waterers. They do not interfere when I need to look over the hens for parasites. Worst case they look on while I do my exam, then I catch them to look them over.

 

[junebuggena]

I do not think they understand that a lot of times. They have not had media or others explain to them what dead or killed is like humans have had their parents, books, elders, and television tell them. But, when they know something is dangerous, they are afraid of it. When you say they do not possess "that kind" of reasoning, do you meant that they do not know to fear a predator, or that they do not realize what you are doing?

But still, why should he trust you?

You know what else will kill and start eating a chicken right in front of the flock? Other chickens! That's right, if one of them is bleeding, they will peck it to death and eat it. Does that mean they aren't supposed to trust other chickens?
But in all seriousness, no animal that has been cared for, from a young age, by a human, should view that human as a threat. Ever. If a rooster is so hormonally driven that he sees absolutely everything as a threat, it's not a good thing. Imagine living your entire life in that state of mind, being so on edge that you never have a moment's peace, constantly looking for something to attack. It's not a healthy situation for the human caretaker or the bird.
You may think the humane thing to do is to keep that bird alive, but he isn't being brave or strong at all. He is living in constant terror of everything. In my opinion, the only humane option for a bird like that is the dinner table.