Rooster and 2yr old son

[keesmom]

There was a thread I saw just the other day about how to take care of a roo who thought he was gonna run the coop. I can't remember who posted it but it makes total sense. You have to make him know that YOU are the boss and it included using a switch to do so. Basically you make that rooster know that when you say jump, he'll do it and as high as he can cuz he knows you rule the roost no matter what.
Pushing a rooster to the floor or hanging him upside down for a sec doesn't really mean anything to them, apparently. You have to "speak" in their language per say. It also said you never walk AROUND a chicken, you always walk THROUGH them and never show fear, cuz that's how "top rooster" would act.

I'll have to see if I can find that thread now cuz the situation was VERY similar to yours

That would probably be Beekissed's post. The OP can make this cockerel respect her, but getting him to respect others, especially a toddler, is going to be much more difficult.

 

[ShannonR]

That would probably be Beekissed's post. The OP can make this cockerel respect her, but getting him to respect others, especially a toddler, is going to be much more difficult.

Agreed!

 

[bobbi-j]

I would get rid of him immediately. If he decides to attack, it will happen in seconds and you may not be close enough to protect your child. If he decides to come at your son spurs first, imagine the damage he could do. He'd be at face level with your child. In my opinion, it's not worth the risk. A dominant hen will do just about everything a rooster will do as far as warning for predators, keeping order, etc.

There was a thread I saw just the other day about how to take care of a roo who thought he was gonna run the coop. I can't remember who posted it but it makes total sense. You have to make him know that YOU are the boss and it included using a switch to do so. Basically you make that rooster know that when you say jump, he'll do it and as high as he can cuz he knows you rule the roost no matter what.
Pushing a rooster to the floor or hanging him upside down for a sec doesn't really mean anything to them, apparently. You have to "speak" in their language per say. It also said you never walk AROUND a chicken, you always walk THROUGH them and never show fear, cuz that's how "top rooster" would act.

I'll have to see if I can find that thread now cuz the situation was VERY similar to yours

This is all good when it's adults that are being targeted by a cockerel/rooster. But an adult gaining a cock's respect does not mean that it will leave a small child alone.

 

[bobbi-j]

That would probably be Beekissed's post. The OP can make this cockerel respect her, but getting him to respect others, especially a toddler, is going to be much more difficult.

You beat me to it.

 

[AMoritz]

I in no way mean that he should keep the rooster, especially as stated that it's going after a child.
I know the OP was asking if there was anything that could be done, so I was just giving more information on the actual subject of trying to get a rooster to see the OP as top, not necessarily have the child do it, especially since the info could come in handy later on down the road if he plans on continuing to keep a rooster at all - even if it's not the rooster in question.
I whole heartedly agree no child should be scared of any chicken, rooster or hen. Me personally, I would probably cull it sand enjoy the feast afterwards.
But more information on the subject won't hurt matters either.

Btw, found the article I was talking about. It is indeed beekisseds
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/beekisseds-rooster-speak.73664/

 

[ash_en_em]

There was a thread I saw just the other day about how to take care of a roo who thought he was gonna run the coop. I can't remember who posted it but it makes total sense. You have to make him know that YOU are the boss and it included using a switch to do so. Basically you make that rooster know that when you say jump, he'll do it and as high as he can cuz he knows you rule the roost no matter what.
Pushing a rooster to the floor or hanging him upside down for a sec doesn't really mean anything to them, apparently. You have to "speak" in their language per say. It also said you never walk AROUND a chicken, you always walk THROUGH them and never show fear, cuz that's how "top rooster" would act.

I'll have to see if I can find that thread now cuz the situation was VERY similar to yours

That was the article I mentioned in my main post. I do all of the mentioned things, but my two year old doesn't. And now that he's nervous about the cockerel, I doubt he will

 

[bobbi-j]

That was the article I mentioned in my main post. I do all of the mentioned things, but my two year old doesn't. And now that he's nervous about the cockerel, I doubt he will

I'm not sure a two year old can comprehend the process anyway. (I have a two year old granddaughter and 19 month old grandson - I can't see either of them effectively doing this.) Seriously - don't take the risk. If that cockerel goes after your child, not only could he cause serious injuries, it could ruin your child's experience with chickens and cause him to hate or fear them for life.

 

[ash_en_em]

I'm not sure a two year old can comprehend the process anyway. (I have a two year old granddaughter and 19 month old grandson - I can't see either of them effectively doing this.) Seriously - don't take the risk. If that cockerel goes after your child, not only could he cause serious injuries, it could ruin your child's experience with chickens and cause him to hate or fear them for life.

Decided I will get rid of him. I posted him on the buy sell trade board, with the disclosure of not being good with small children. I don't want to pen him because that seems cruel being that Aussie's are made to free range. I also don't want to cull him as he really is a gentleman with his girls, and great around adults. However, if no one claims him, he will be going in the soup pot...

 

[KikiLeigh02]

A full grown Black Australorp is about as long as my 15 month old, there is no way either he or my 3 year old could successfully fight one off if it attacked. There would be a very good chance they would be injured before I could intervene. We just have a little bantam rooster who has never shown any aggression. I still never turn my back or lose sight of him when my boys are around. He typically keeps himself between me and the hens but will get out of the way, I always keep myself between him and the boys. They make an easy target.

 

[aart]

I don't want to pen him because that seems cruel being that Aussie's are made to free range.

That's Romance....
....your tiny son being traumatized or seriously injured is Reality.
Pen up that bird asap!