RIR Roo keeps flogging me...

[redladybug12]

Hi! I am new to chickens and we just got a small flock of RIR a week and a half ago. 3 hens and a roo. The roo seems great as I have never hear him crow (my husband thought he heard it one morning) and he takes care of the flock. BUT...he has started flogging me. It started out he just ruffled his feathers around me but he flogged me 3 times Sunday (once when I was trying to pick up a hen so that is sorta understandable) and once today as I was giving them treats (peaches).

What do I do? He has only done it when I am out there alone (my husband thinks I am over exagerating but he hasn't seen it), and while he hasn't yet hurt me I am afraid it will escalate to that. Plus I have a 2.5 year old (and a baby but she isn't out there around them) that I definitely don't want him flogging or worse.

HELP! I have read I should carry him around but I am not confident enough to catch him. How do I show I am top rooster (and my children are too)? Thanks!

Second question...when can I expect eggs? It has been a week and a half with no eggs and they are pooping in their nesting boxes in the chicken tractor...

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What is your purpose in choosing to have a rooster in your flock? Are you wanting to hatch chicks?
How old are the birds? Were the hens reported to have been laying before you brought them home or not? If so, the stress of a move can cause them to take a break from laying while they adjust to new surroundings - it can take a couple of weeks or more before they start producing again.

 

[redladybug12]

We had hoped to let them hatch chicks at some point. Maybe get a few and then if we have a broody chicken let her do her thing.

They are all a little over a year (14-15 months old I think) and had been laying but she said with the heat they were laying less. It has been a cool week though.

 

[redladybug12]

Plus the lady we were buying them from would only sell the hens with the rooster...

 

[redladybug12]

(sorry for the repeat, I just commented the first time and didn't do the "reply")

We had hoped to let them hatch chicks at some point. Maybe get a few and then if we have a broody chicken let her do her thing.

They are all a little over a year (14-15 months old I think) and had been laying but she said with the heat they were laying less. It has been a cool week though.

Plus the lady we were buying them from would only sell the hens with the rooster. She seemed really nice (had a ton of chickens) and let us pick from a few. Plus she saw we had kids so I don't think she stuck me with a mean rooster on purpose or anything (she had a turkey she told us would chase her around the yard that she was also selling)

 

[Hayduke27]

First of all, your statement that "you are not confident enough" to catch the rooster might be a big indicator of what's going on. Chickens have a very keen sense of your emotions, with regard to whether you are agitated or relaxed. Roosters can tell if you are hesitant or scared around them, and they will take quick advantage of that. To show him you aren't afraid, you need to approach him with confidence, pick him up without hesitation, and don't let him down until you are ready. Be cautious, however, as if he already has aggressive tendencies, he may try to flog you when you reach for him. It's a tough balance, but if you are going to show hi you're boss, you need to just get after him with confidence and show no fear, while at the same time watching out to make sure he doesn't catch you in a bad spot, like the eye. I'm guessing his spurs probably aren't very sharp yet if he's just over a year old, so chances are that he won't be able to really hurt you.

Unfortunately, RIR roosters are known for being more on the aggressive side. I've heard of many of them turning mean. Roosters are often a bit more of a handful than the hens, but if yours turns mean and attacks often, you'd probably be better off looking for another, less aggressive one.

 

[Mrs. K]

You really probably need to get out of this situation. You have a little one that can be and probably will be attacked, the child's face level at 2.5 years is a prime attack height for a rooster. Those claws and spurs can cause deep puncture wounds and scars. An attack by a rooster for a child, generally ruins the whole chicken hobby for the kid.

If people ask me, when you first get started, I recommend just going with hens. I do not recommend a rooster until your youngest child is 6 years old. By 6 years of age, they are generally tall enough to keep an attack out of the face, and they usually are more cognitive of signals a rooster is giving off.

Get some experience under you, if you truly enjoy this hobby, and lots of us do, you have years to expand your flock with roosters and chicks and different breeds, and neat egg colors..... there are lots of ways of changing it up, but you don't have to do it all this year.

Full grown hens are a wonderful place to start, they should be giving you eggs soon, once they settle down. You can test your set up for predator protection, see just how many fit comfortably in your set up, and see how many eggs you really do need for your family. Your child can be safe out amongst the hens, and can enjoy finding the eggs in the nest.

My advice, is GET RID OF THE ROOSTER. He is not changing, he will get worse, and you have had your warning.

Mrs K

 

[bobbi-j]

And now you know why the lady would only sell the hens if you took the rooster... I've never had a RIR, but they seem to have a reputation for being aggressive. I would get rid of him ASAP. Especially since you have little ones. Lots of info on here about how to cook a mean bird.

If you want your hens to hatch out eggs you can either get a different rooster (they're not all mean - I had a Brahma that I just loved. He kept his distance, never came near me or showed any aggression), or find fertile eggs to slip under a broody. Or, let her set on golf balls for about 3 weeks and get some day old chicks to put under her some night.

 

[Hayduke27]

I have to agree with Mrs. K. Roosters can be a tricky lot, and yours is already proving to be an aggressive one. You'll enjoy your chickens a lot more if you don't have to deal with his aggression. There is plenty of time to get a rooster in the future, and then you can go out and find a good one that needs a home. There are lots and lots of them! Get rid of this mean one, and give yourself time to settle in to this awesome hobby!

 

[BayBay Peepers]

I agree with everyone. Get rid of that rooster. Spurs don't have to be big to cause damage. I had a rooster under a year who constantly attacked me no matter what I tried. I did everything from pick him up to trying to coax him with food. It never worked. Plus I decided I would never want his evil offspring anyways There are so many unwanted roosters that I can't understand any reason to keep an aggressive one. I doubt yours will ever change since you say you don't have the confidence to pick him up and you have a little one to look after. Mine went after a child (THANK GOD HE MISSED) that was the last straw I pulled the Queen of Hearts on him (off with his head) My other rooster is a complete angel compared to that monster so I full-heartedly believe you can find a better one in the future. Hope it all works out for you and that your hens lay you some eggs real soon.