Question about Roosters

[One Chick Two]

Ridgerunner - great point about livestock vs. pet. Acceptable behaviors might be quite different based on that distinction!

I had roosters last year - not intentionally, but when a hen went broody, I gave her a dozen fertile eggs and ended up with 7 roosters. I kept two of them, including the most beautiful black Orpington I have ever seen. My flock are definitely pets - most of the hens are "lap hens"! Fred was very, very sweet and affectionate as a youngster, coming up to be picked up every day. Once the hormones kicked in, his affection shifted to the ladies, and he tolerated our presence. He killed the junior roo in a battle, which should have been a good sign of what was to come. He started...sneak attacking my husband, not out and out rushing him, but sidling up and beating at him with his wings (happily, no spurs). And then he started doing it to my daughter (she is 21). And still I put up with it, because he was so lovely.

Then, his amorous attentions became too much for the ladies. They were terrorized by his attentions and started hiding on the roost all day. The ones who came down were quickly shredded, having large completely bald spots on their backs and sides. So I got hen saddles to protect them (did not help their sides, and just served to complete rub the skin raw under the saddles)

And then one day, he attacked me. I shot him. The hens are so much happier, my husband is happier, and the farm is clucking along again. No more roosters for us, unless the apocalypse hits and I need to raise my own.

Fred, before he completely shredded the ladies - he is about 10 months old here.

He forced you to make a choice, and it sounds like you made the correct one for your situation. Also sounds like you gave him plenty of chances to do things right.





Not all situations with roosters necessarily go bad over time. We currently have 15 roos freeranging with 100 hens, including a few bantams, and a huge partridge cochin. The one 1 3/4 lb bantam roo on the right, upper back, rules the roost.

We have calm contact at all times with them, and handle our roos nearly daily, handling didn't make anyone aggressive later. The roos are all friendly and sociable, and will "help" you if you're working out in the yard or shoveling. lol

Our bantam roo helped to raise the PR RIR cockerels, and taught them how to act in a flock. The only fights we see are on occasion are squabbles between hens, and the roos break it up. We've never seen the roos have a real fight. The bantam chases them off if anyone acts out of line, lol. They scream and run off.

We have one cockerel (now roo) who bit my hand during his juvie "testing" phase. I held him down to the ground when he did that until he surrendered, and then I held him and petted him until he was happy and calm with his head placed on my shoulder, then would let him down. This worked very well. He does not act out at all now, and is quiet and content when held. None of the others have shown aggressive tendencies. Since the PR RIR here are from a hatchery, you would think there would be many bad apples, but no- a few are shyer than the others, and that's fine.

I truly believe there is a genetic factor, but there is also environmental factor, which IMO, can be be just as strong.

IMO, I would have supervision with a six year old even with the nicest roosters just in case of flightiness- if nothing else. I have been accidentally hit in the eye with a flapping wing before when a chicken becomes excited over something- like treats. Good luck!

 

[hannahrachel]

It is all about the individual rooster here, unfortunately. Last year I had two roosters--of course, by accident--one was a BLR Wyandotte, and the other was a Dominique. As chicks, the Dominique was overwhelmingly more friendly than the BLRW. He was the first to greet me in the brooder, loved to be petted, picked up, and held. I was delighted, until he matured, and I found out he was a rooster.

I believe it's my fault he turned into such a horror. When I moved the flock to the big pen, I started distancing myself away from him, because the people on this site said that was what I needed to do to have a good rooster. He was obviously confused.

I like to sit in the pen everyday and watch my chickens. It's really therapeutic, and it gives me a little time away from my busy schedule to relax. The Dominique loved to run up and stand with me while I watched. One day I pushed him away from me, and it sort of took a moment, but then he turned around and started attacking me.

Since then it has all gone downhill. He attacks me whenever I enter the run--often while my back is turned. He has made me bleed before. He even started attacking my four-year-old sister! That was enough to convince me to do something about him, as I want the chicken coop to be safe for my sister when she comes to visit.

I have tried to handle him everyday. When he attacks I hold him down and wait until he surrenders, then hold him until he is calm enough to fall asleep. However, usually when I put him back down on the ground he turns around and attacks me again! It is exhausting having him around.

I'm positive it is time to take him to the freezer... However, I'm too chicken to do it.

Now, hearing my horror story, I'd like to talk about my other rooster, Gaston. He is any chicken keeper's dream for a rooster. He is calm, keeps an eye on the hens, attacks predators, is VERY handsome, and is smart enough to recognize that I'm above him on the totem pole.

Here is a photo of Gaston.

The only problem with him that I have is that he is too rough when he breeds the hens. One of them is missing most of her back feathers (she is the most extreme case, as she is his favorite).

Both of my roosters were raised the same way. One of them simply didn't turn out as well as the other. I hope that in your experience, your too grows up to be calm and friendly.

 

[One Chick Two]

It is all about the individual rooster here, unfortunately. Last year I had two roosters--of course, by accident--one was a BLR Wyandotte, and the other was a Dominique. As chicks, the Dominique was overwhelmingly more friendly than the BLRW. He was the first to greet me in the brooder, loved to be petted, picked up, and held. I was delighted, until he matured, and I found out he was a rooster.

I believe it's my fault he turned into such a horror. When I moved the flock to the big pen, I started distancing myself away from him, because the people on this site said that was what I needed to do to have a good rooster. He was obviously confused.

I like to sit in the pen everyday and watch my chickens. It's really therapeutic, and it gives me a little time away from my busy schedule to relax. The Dominique loved to run up and stand with me while I watched. One day I pushed him away from me, and it sort of took a moment, but then he turned around and started attacking me.

Since then it has all gone downhill. He attacks me whenever I enter the run--often while my back is turned. He has made me bleed before. He even started attacking my four-year-old sister! That was enough to convince me to do something about him, as I want the chicken coop to be safe for my sister when she comes to visit.

I have tried to handle him everyday. When he attacks I hold him down and wait until he surrenders, then hold him until he is calm enough to fall asleep. However, usually when I put him back down on the ground he turns around and attacks me again! It is exhausting having him around.

I'm positive it is time to take him to the freezer... However, I'm too chicken to do it.

Now, hearing my horror story, I'd like to talk about my other rooster, Gaston. He is any chicken keeper's dream for a rooster. He is calm, keeps an eye on the hens, attacks predators, is VERY handsome, and is smart enough to recognize that I'm above him on the totem pole.



Here is a photo of Gaston.

The only problem with him that I have is that he is too rough when he breeds the hens. One of them is missing most of her back feathers (she is the most extreme case, as she is his favorite).

Both of my roosters were raised the same way. One of them simply didn't turn out as well as the other. I hope that in your experience, your too grows up to be calm and friendly.

hannahrachel,

What a handsome guy Gaston is! And I love the name, too.

Can you occasionally trim the very tips of his toenails or file them? (Don't cut far or it can bleed.) Also, you can make temp. DIY hen saddles out of fleece from a fabric store, or even inexpensive nice fleece jackets you pick up at a thrift store as a last resort if you can't find any you like online. Try 10 hens for more amorous roos, 3-4 for less vigorous fellows. Some roos only want one hen... Just depends on each roo.

I didn't mention this in my previous post, but some adult roosters who are not well socialized can also be reconditioned if you have any desire to attempt trying, even when full grown and acting out. I have worked with a few who may have had developed bad behaviors if I'd ignored them, and it worked for me. I would never recommend this to anyone who considers a roo just too far gone, or in a very bad way- you have to assess your situation carefully.

First, no matter what... don't become afraid of him. Become calmly indifferent, and instantly reactive to all of his testing. (Wear long sleeves and pants if you need to at first if attempting any re-conditioning.)

Our bantam roo, and two Marans roos (in a different flock) were all purchased as wild and unsocialized full adult roosters. The bantam would peck my hand at first (I think from fear), but I ignored everything he tried (flapping, etc.), and was always calm, deliberate and kind with him, even when I was surprised by kicks or wings. I was determined to have him see things my way. He came around fairly quickly through daily interaction, and has been a wonderful asset afterward in helping others learn to socialize together well and he was at least two years old and an OEGB! lol

I never let any chicken down from being held who gets excited or agitated- including the hens. They all have to be calm, and act balanced when being let down. We have one roo who tugs our pantlegs and asks to be picked up daily.

Anyone who attacks (or acts badly) I would hold down until they surrender, then held, and talked to gently and petted...eventually gently drawing their head onto my shoulder while I gently pet them and whisper, "Shh...it's okay..." They almost always quiet down to listen to what I'm saying. I would never give them treats (ours get too excited) or have them around anything that might agitate them while it's relaxation time. I have found them to respond over time, some quickly, usually within a few weeks you'll see some softening. It is all about getting them to expect certain behavior, and consistency.

Again, this takes a concentrated effort toward a goal, but it can be changed successfully- in some cases.

 

[centrarchid]

I grew up around roosters, a very large number. I currently lead a small 4-H poultry program. As part of professional responsibilities (outreach for a land grant university) I use chickens, including full grown roosters, in close proximity to large number of children ranging in age from four to near college. If you want guidance on how your son can keep and prepare a rooster for show, then contact me.

If your son knows his way around the birds he will not be in danger. He can learn very quickly.