Rooster attacking despite some advices followed

[Stefankeyes]

Hi everyone. Second post of today. But this one a bit more serious. I have 3 chickens all hatched November 16th. 2 I know are hens But our white one in picture is a Roo. Dekalb White I believe his breed to be, I have tried some advice from online for behavior aggression issues over the past couple + weeks. Such as just spending more time around the flock. just talking with them. And even manually handing rooster in way to "Assert Dominance but affection also" as one video suggested by holding him down by his back like a dominant rooster would to assert his dominance to stop fighting but also rewarding treats from the hand. While this seems to work for other people. Its been a total loss for me. every time I enter their "area" to refill their food or water he just attacks me. bites onto my shirt sleeve and jumps up at my arm with his claws. I have been told just to cull him but I have never had such experience and honestly I don't know if I even have it in me to do that, I am kind of at a total lost point now. So anything you guys can suggest would be definitely appreciated.

 

[Stefankeyes]

Hi everyone and thanks so much for the comments and advice! There potentially someone that wants the Roo. A wildlife sanctuary near by sometimes takes peoples unwanted roosters to cull to feed birds of prey ect. So if they decide to take him that that's great. If not then I guess it will be pellet gun to the head! At least if the Wild life sanctuary takes him,. then the meat will go to something good!

 

[Brooks_]

Put him on craigslist with full disclosure of his behavior. Probably be someone's dinner but better than keeping aggressive behavior.

 

[nuthatched]

You tried, that counts for something but if he's going to be a butt, he needs to go. Either full disclosure in Craigslist or send him to freezer camp.

 

[Brooks_]

I do 100% agree with you. One way or another its going to come with the territory of keeping them! I guess I'm just too soft. I always had them as pets rather than for food / eggs. Apart of the family. If I can find someone local to help guide me during the culling process in person then I would probably be a lot more comfortable doing it myself. Last option is to pay for Euthanize at a Vet that will do it. Although that costs but also wastes the meat since it cannot be eaten after that.

I didn't think I had it in me for my first cull and had considered a vet. That changed when he pissed me off enough. After that it was quite easy. Broomstick method.

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

I really recommend that you try to cull him yourself. It will be much easier on him and that is part of your responsibility as a chicken owner. Also you would have a little experience with it in case there is an emergency at some point and you have to take quick action. We recently had dogs attack our chickens and I had to put a couple of hens out of their misery, I was really glad that I could do it quickly.

I learned by watching this video. The lady takes you through it step by step and she gets the job done humanely. If you wait until roosting time at night and keep everything as dark as you can it will be fairly low stress for the rooster and for you.

Rooster culling

 

[Brooks_]

I just seen a video of the broom stick method earlier! actually a few vids. One guy even accidentally pulled its entire head right off My main fear more than anything is doing it wrong and increasing the suffering. Do you think a .22 Air rifle could do the job quick enough if if it was to the head (point black)? In culling I feel its the physical contact that would hold me back more during the process. It is on the lower end of power about 450 fps

Can't speak to the air rifle. Have seen comments of full .22. Strong flapping is a good sign of a clean break with the broom stick. I maintained hands on to restrain. If you pull too hard and remove the head, there is little doubt that it was humane.

 

[aart]

One guy even accidentally pulled its entire head right off

Cervical Dislocation is shown in this video at about 1:00,

Click the 'Watch this video on YouTube'

it's the only CD video I've found that doesn't remove the head.

-Notice the slight divot in the ground under the stick and neck, this will keep the bird from being choked.

-Notice that she slowly stretches out the neck and legs before giving the short sharp jerk that breaks the neck close to the skull, this is key to success IMO.

I've found this technique to be very effective.

 

[3KillerBs]

Cervical Dislocation is shown in this video at about 1:00,

Click the 'Watch this video on YouTube'

it's the only CD video I've found that doesn't remove the head.

-Notice the slight divot in the ground under the stick and neck, this will keep the bird from being choked.

-Notice that she slowly stretches out the neck and legs before giving the short sharp jerk that breaks the neck close to the skull, this is key to success IMO.

I've found this technique to be very effective.

I would like to add two points,

First, be sure that the broomstick is very securely under your feet with your full weight on it so that it doesn't slip out.

Second, it is definitely disconcerting -- and potentially upsetting -- to find yourself holding a violently-flapping bird upside down by his ankles. HOWEVER, that violent flapping is the sign that the spinal cord has been properly separated and you can reassure yourself that the bird is dead and has no feeling or awareness left by reaching down with your free hand to feel the gap between the vertebrae where they've been dislocated.

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

Something else I’d point out is that in my experience, human aggressive roosters are the first to run from danger. They are not the roosters that will flog a predator attacking the hens. They’re defined by passive aggressive fear and insecurity. They are also never the dominant roosters when placed among other roosters. They’re usually only dominant when they’re the only rooster or when they’re significantly more mature than the competition.

The roosters that are good flock protectors and will be the ones to whip all rival roosters will be the strong and self-confident roosters that are comfortable around their humans. I’m sure there will be exceptions but these observations have been my general experiences.

Although I think imprinting has a lot to do with human aggression, I also wonder if it comes from poor eyesight. Inability to distinguish shapes and movements of a human’s leg from a rival.