Need HELP! Over Easy the Rooster...To be or not to be.

[dalasgalas]

Over Easy my Buff Orpington rooster I have had since he was 3 days old. In the last three years he has become more and more aggressive. He has put his spurs through my calves three times. Chases the dogs around. He terrorizes my children in the back yard. No one can go outside without a broom except my husband.

Our flock is a backyard free roaming flock with a little house they stay in at night. I don't want to pen him up. That would just be cruel at this point in his chicken life. Plus his ladies are free roaming hens and have been so since birth. He'd be unhappy without access to his flock.

I'm struggling with the idea of euthanizing him. I love him. He is glorious and crows like a champ. He loves the ladies and used to be be gentle and nice. For about a year he was wonderful but in the last year he has become unpredictable and impossible to manage.

I've emailed and called all around no one wants an aggressive rooster. I didn't think he was particularly aggressive until I started reading this forum.

So I guess I need support regarding this issue. I love the guy. I really do. I just can't keep him even though he is wonderful to his backyard flock.

 

[coach723]

Rehoming any rooster can be a challenge, a known aggressive one nearly impossible. I have had some wonderful roosters, and some horrible ones. Only you can make the decision on what you are willing to put up with. For me, if I can't safely do my daily chicken duties without worrying about, or being, attacked, he's not staying. I have to be able to take care of my hens, so minimum he'd be separated for that reason. Honestly, I don't keep the nasty ones, it just isn't worth the risk to me. It may seem harsh or hard hearted, but the bad ones go in the freezer. I had a perfectly gorgeous light brahma that was satan reincarnate. My best roo's have been chicks that kept their distance and got out of my way early on, very respectful and a bit standoffish. The real friendly ones usually have ended up being monsters. There are lots of good roosters, so I just don't put up with the jerks, and I don't want that particular trait passed on.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I'm sorry. Knowing it needs to be done is so much easier than actually doing it. Three spurrings is two more than I would have put up with if that makes you feel any better. I won't let a rooster terrorize my kids though, my MIL's family had a mean roosters when she was a kid. She is still terrified of chickens, she won't even go near the not yet three week olds I have in the brooder. I don't want them to end up with a lifelong fear like that.

 

[dalasgalas]

Maybe it's just hard since I didn't intend to get a rooster. He was supposed to be a sexed hen. He has always been kind to the hens. Which is why he is still alive I guess. We can't use our backyard without him sneaking up on us and attacking. One part of me is happy his hens are safe, the other half is pissed I can't use my back yard and my poor daughter can't use her swing set without a broom to wack him away.

 

[Coykoi]

My BO rooster is a jerk too. He hasn't spured me but has flogged and bit me a number of times. I do put him in rooster jail when I have to work outside and he's in a mood. Maybe a small pen for him and rotate a couple of the ladies at a time to keep your guy company? I couldn't part with mine either, although I threaten him that he'll be soup next week (doesn't do any good, he knows I won't carry through with my threat).

 

[dalasgalas]

I was at your level last year. Rooster jail. Understanding. But this year he's gotten to the point that no one is safe. I have tried rehabbing him, spending time with him. Hand feeding him. I've done as much as I can. I guess I just need support in ending his chicken life in the most compassionate humane way possible.

With as little blood as possible and in a way the kids don't catch on. Because that would be a trainwreck.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

If you search for "broomstick method" that seems to be the most suggested technique I see for being humane & efficient.

I was at your level last year. Rooster jail. Understanding. But this year he's gotten to the point that no one is safe. I have tried rehabbing him, spending time with him. Hand feeding him. I've done as much as I can. I guess I just need support in ending his chicken life in the most compassionate humane way possible.

With as little blood as possible and in a way the kids don't catch on. Because that would be a trainwreck.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I was at your level last year. Rooster jail. Understanding. But this year he's gotten to the point that no one is safe. I have tried rehabbing him, spending time with him. Hand feeding him. I've done as much as I can. I guess I just need support in ending his chicken life in the most compassionate humane way possible.

With as little blood as possible and in a way the kids don't catch on. Because that would be a trainwreck.

Call your zoo and ask if they need animal food. Explain to them that you want him to go quickly, not eaten alive. I don't know if this will work or not, but it may be worth a try. And he will not be wasted.

 

[dalasgalas]

Call your zoo and ask if they need animal food. Explain to them that you want him to go quickly, not eaten alive. I don't know if this will work or not, but it may be worth a try. And he will not be wasted.

Brilliant Idea.

Except I have to make believe he died a natural death in our backyard so the kids won't be a trainwreck. I know it is the natural order of things but my oldest is autistic and extremely attatched to the flock. He'd never understand what I am doing.

The youngest might gleefully help since the rooster picks on her the most. Which is equally troublesome.

 

[leighks]

My BO rooster is a jerk too. He hasn't spured me but has flogged and bit me a number of times. I do put him in rooster jail when I have to work outside and he's in a mood. Maybe a small pen for him and rotate a couple of the ladies at a time to keep your guy company? I couldn't part with mine either, although I threaten him that he'll be soup next week (doesn't do any good, he knows I won't carry through with my threat).

Lol that sounds like me and what’s going on win my sassy roo!!