Please help

[ChickenMomma98010]

I have four chickens 2 hens 2 roosters, my rooster bit my sister tonight and my family said that if he keeps being so dangerous we will have to get rid of them/ I guess this isn’t really a re-homing thing unless they keep behaving like that/ does anybody know how to stop the behavior

 

[Wezdin]

How old is the rooster? Unless you are really attached to the rooster I agree that the best place for a turdhead rooster is the stewpot.
But, if you want to try to calm him down pin him to the ground every time he shows aggression until he stops squirming. this will eventually signify you as the alpha.

 

[ChickenMomma98010]

How old is the rooster? Unless you are really attached to the rooster I agree that the best place for a turdhead rooster is the stewpot.
But, if you want to try to calm him down pin him to the ground every time he shows aggression until he stops squirming. this will eventually signify you as the alpha.

Sadly we raised them from a few days old and have become really attached (mostly me) it would kill me to know they’ve been killed I would say they’re about a year old maybe less

 

[Wezdin]

Sadly we raised them from a few days old and have become really attached (mostly me) it would kill me to know they’ve been killed I would say they’re about a year old maybe less

Then I would recccommend the method I mentioned earlier.

 

[ChickenMomma98010]

Then I would recccommend the method I mentioned earlier.

Thank you I will certainly try that

 

[Kris5902]

Define “bit”, and maybe describe the circumstances around the bite a little more? Chickens use their beaks to explore their environments... was he checking to see if she had food? Pecking at a bit of something on her pant legs? How old is your sister and is she accustomed to being around chickens?

I’ve been handfeeding mine mealworms in their tiny roosting area due to bad weather, and occasionally they bite the fleshy folds of my hands by “mistake” but haven’t drawn blood or anything (usually my hens, my boys have been well behaved even with me sticking my face in with them!)

. Now if he full on attacked, pecking and flogging that’s a different story altogether. Also, you will need several more hens for two roosters.

 

[SilberHenne]

One of my hens is nippy, but ironically she is the sweetest thing that just wants to be near me, but she thinks any little speck on my skin is a bug or something to eat. I used to get so many bruises from her, but she eventually figured out from my fussing that I didn't appreciate it, and has stopped. Chances are your roo isn't being mean, he just doesn't realize that biting hurts.

Don't be mean, but be firm with him when he does it. You have to make it clear that you are not happy when he bites.

 

[feathermaid]

I don't think you have enough hens to keep 2 roosters happy, and I'm surprised the roos aren't fighting each other. The typical ratio is 10 hens per rooster. How old are they? If they're less than a year old, they could just be reaching sexual maturity and starting to express dominance.

Roosters are livestock and the rooster's job is to mate with the hens, keep intruders away and protect what he believes to be his. He's trying to do his job and your sister got in the way. Some roosters will tolerate humans more than others, but generally they don't make good pets. Usually the most aggressive roosters are culled, but if you're really attached and want to keep them, you might have to keep the boys penned up and out of sight from the girls, that can sometimes make them less aggressive.

 

[aart]

I don't think you have enough hens to keep 2 roosters happy, and I'm surprised the roos aren't fighting each other. The typical ratio is 10 hens per rooster. How old are they? If they're less than a year old, they could just be reaching sexual maturity and starting to express dominance.

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.
Backyard flocks can achieve good fertility with a larger ratio.

Sadly we raised them from a few days old and have become really attached (mostly me) it would kill me to know they’ve been killed I would say they’re about a year old maybe less

This is the hard part about keeping chickens...sometimes you have to remove a bird(s) from the flock. They are not cuddly dogs that can be trained to behave, the humans keeping them need to be 'trained'(well, dog keepers often need to be trained too).

 

[Alexandra33]

The 'rooster' to hen ratio of 1:10 that is often cited is primarily for fertility efficiency in commercial breeding facilities.
It doesn't mean that if a cockbird has 10 hens that he won't abuse or over mate them.
Many breeders keep pairs, trios, quads, etc
It all depends on the temperaments of the cock and hens and sometimes housing provided.

A rough cockerel will cause excessive feather loss no matter how many hens he's provided with. My feeling is that one can keep well over the suggested ratio, if said males are mannerly.

What type of biting is referred to here? Context means everything. Striking quickly, akin to a snake, is oftentimes aggression. Deliberate examination beforehand usually indicates curiosity.

I personally don't show my cockerels the ax for a mere bite....that's reserved for outright flogging. (though it boils down entirely to what each individual is willing to put up with) Taking the offensive, and fighting back in order to correct him, can exacerbate things. Whenever my young men bite aggressively, I hold them for a good, long while. So far, it's worked wonders.

Just keep in mind, genetics and inherited demeanor play a part in the equation.....what's successful in others' situations isn't guaranteed to work in yours.

~Alex