Rooster becoming meaner by the day. Can I keep a hen alone?

[haemony]

I don't think a rooster is going to be good long term companionship for a single hen anyway. She'll soon get tired of his attentions. One rooster and one hen. I can't see that working out well for the hen.

 

[happyhenlover]

It may be a competition for space try expanding their territory :/
Good luck

 

[chickychicka]

Yes, he was the easiest (of the 3 we had) to be picked up and was always ok with that, never made a big fuss, I liked him a lot! Now I can't even catch him, or am afraid to come too close to him due to his behavior. I did notice the hormones kicking in in him now. I have such an aversion towards him right now though that I could imagine myself cutting his head off (and I always said I would NEVER do anything like this.... watching my child getting pecked at that one day changed my mind quite a bit!)
I will take the advice and stop chasing him for now. If he does not change SOON we will eat him. I will not let him threaten me and be a danger to my child.
Now, how do you catch a chicken like that?
Getting a pullet or grown hen sounds like a great idea; I'll look into that. I have a strong feeling that this option (minus the rooster) would ease my mind.
Thanks so much... you are ALL very helpful!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Catch him in the coop in the morning and before he's ate too much. He'll be easier to clean. I'm sorry...the first one is never easy...I found out this August. You sound resigned though and that's the frame of mind you need for this scenario. Stay strong and know that he just wasn't working out and he had a far better life than many chickens ever dare to dream.

 

[Smoochie]

I would post an add craigslist that you have an only hen that needs a buddy and I am sure someone will help you out. As for the rooster I would deal with it right away... I still remember the day we kept one a day too long and my dad who was not very experienced with roosters went into the pen and he came out all bloody up in the legs and arms. I still despise "Rocky".

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Yes, taking them off the roost is the easiest way, maybe, the only way. Be careful of getting a new hen, make the time to observe the chicken and where it lives...look for healthy hens and no illness where it comes from. You may want to purchase a good bird from someone with a good reputation.

 

[lahowardjr]

I agree with culling the roo and making dumplings. The toddler is more important than trying to work the aggression out of him. One hit to the face of your youngster with those spurs and the injury could be serious.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I don't know where I read it...but I've heard 3 is a good number for birds to feel good company or feel like they're safe in a flock. So maybe consider getting two more girls for your 1. I don't know if that has any weight to it...but I'm a sucker for more birds myself anyways...

 

[Gittx]

I use a fishing net to catch my chickens, and when I was in the chicken pen for repairs one day, my rooster decided to attack me. I got my fish net caught him, and held him captive for a while. He no longer tries to attack me in person, but lunges at me when I'm outside the pen. He may need another lesson as "the fish" for a little "attitude fine tuning"

 

[chickychicka]

I agree to 3 hens. Unfortunately of the 3 chicks we got, 2 were roos and only one hen. That's why we're trying for more hens but at the 2:1 pace we've been going (our very first hatch was 2 roos and one hen again) just buying an adult hen may be the best option. Then it won't be a roo for sure and I won't have to think about how to get rid of the roos