PLEASE HELP. I feel bad but very confused.

[Sgsf]

I have a small rooster, like below average height, but he's very quick and flies good. He's been messing with my Silkies a lot, mating with them, and something just pecking their heads and pulling sometimes. The pulling and pecking I haven't seen much of lately. But he's been mating just them only, A LOT.

So me and my dad decided to put him outside. He has plenty of stuff to fly on, including the top of the coop. But, the problem is, our dumb neighbors can't keep their dogs on THEIR property. The dogs really nice, and follows commands well. But she's a big dog, and really like to chase birds and squirrels.

Is this the right choice? We were outside monitoring the dog, and she looked very interested in the Rooster, but she never really attacked him. I would give her a firm hit on her side/shoulder *whatever*. She KNOWS she isn't suppose to attack the Rooster, and did a good job of just watching but not attacking. After the first 15 minutes, the rooster sometimes walked right near her but she never did anything.

I love all my chickens, and I don't like seeing one gone or dead. We currently have two roosters, and a new Buff rooster coming along soon. The rooster we let go had a good fight with another Rooster, and that went on for about 3 days. But we have about 9 hens, so I'm thinking letting him loose was a good idea. But I feel bad for him, because he really wants back inside with the population. He has food and water on the roof of the coop, and he can fly up there just fine. He's a really good flyer.

I'm on the verge of putting him back inside. So PLEASE give me your input. Read the whole post before replying, PLEASE.

 

[Miss Lydia]

I read you post, I would be very worried about that dog, have you tried to rehome this roo? I am afraid he isn'r going to last long on the outside, if he's roosting on the top of the coop an owl at night or a hawk during the day or the dog if he's on the ground. why not ad vertise on craigs list or post at your feed store you never know someone might want him.

 

[Sphinx]

I agree with Lydia. I don't think he'll last long outside. Besides, I think it would be kind of depressing for him to be separated from the flock.

I think either you should let him back inside, or rehome him.

 

[cafarmgirl]

It's always a risk you take in having chickens loose. Dog may never bother him. Dog may kill him the first minute your not around. You just never know. If it will bother you if he gets killed then you need to pen him up.

 

[gavinandallison]

Put him back in, if you can maybe have a seperatearea where he can be safe but still see the girls.

 

[jeepchick]

Now, im new to chickens so by no means an expert but if it was my roo this is what I would try..... if you have a spot to make him his own space in the coop or a different coop give him a girl or two to call his own. Either one of his current crushes or a new girl thats more his size. But having just lost my girls to a fox this morning when I let them out to play I can tell you for sure its not what you want to walk out to at 7:30 in the morning.

Outside is not going to end well. Good luck!

 

[TeamChaos]

I read the whole post and I understand the situation is a difficult one but PLEASE consider what is kindest for him, not easiest for you. Yes, he's got food and water and, theoretically, a "home" on top of the coop but from his perspective he's locked out of what's familiar, all by himself and in the range of predators... that sounds pretty stressful. Rehome him, make him a separate coop or kill him with respect; don't just turn him out and hope that nature does the dirty work.

Upon rereading my post, it sounds way harsher than I intended. I'm sorry- I honestly don't mean it to sound that way but any way I change it up just waters down what I'm getting at.

 

[Chihuahuamom444]

It is kind of mean to do that to him, he is prob afraid at night not having a coop to go in, Id rather see him in a sep enclosure by himself than out there to fend for himself....of course you wont have to worry about it for long because he wont last, it may be the dog that gets him or a wild animal, but something WILL

 

[Sgsf]

Quote:
Exactly what I felt.

I'm moving him back in.

 

[Chihuahuamom444]

Quote:
Exactly what I felt.

I'm moving him back in.

Im having similiar issues with my roos, they are after the girls and it drives me crazy so I plan to give them their own pen and coop, a bachelor pad, maybe not even all the time but just to give my girls a breather. I have the coop just havent figured out how Im gonna move it to the back yard yet, but I cant wait to get those boys out ! I know its normal but some roos are more rambunctious than others and I may just leave my one rooster with the girls and take the 2 younger ones out, I just dont want to get rid of them.....so maybe with your guy make a sep pen for him, at least he will feel safe going in at night, mine would panic if they couldnt get inside at dusk