Rooster increasingly aggressive w/hens. Hard decision made:(

[slightlyscrambled]

I have 3 red pyle OE roos and the oldest is wonderful to his hens but I dont know how smart he is? They 2 younger ones( this summers hatch) are awful and I have had to seperate them from the flock. (same problem as yours) And now I am facing your dilemma, just cant bring myself to that point yet. I keep thinking that they might settle down as they get older.
Any way I like my older roo but dont know how well he would protect his flock in a free range situation

 

[PeeperKeeper]

Yep roosters are something else. I have some favorites and I keep hoping that they stay gentlemanly. Had my fill of mean ones, RIRs. The girls backs were ripped up, neck feathers and combs left bleeding. They have been gone 8 mos. now and some of the hens still haven't completely grown their feathers back in. But we got some nice roos now and it was amazing to watch how the girls responded to them. Like they really appreciated the guys for they watchful gentle treatment.

 

[bethgranberg]

I am sorry I feel for you, I also had an EE roo that was acting similar to yours, handsome fellow as well. Everyone here was so supportive and I know I made the right decision for my hens and my family. Let me just say that months later I feel at peace, and know that you did the right thing.

 

[rhoda_bruce]

Sorry about your loss, but you did right in finishing him off. Try to think on them as livestock rather than pets. Its hard when you weren't raised with that mentality, and judging from what your mom thinks and says, I guess you weren't. Personally, I would have made a soup, but with how much difficulty you had with the situation, I think eating him would have been completely out of the question.
I am thinking however.......my husband gave me 5 Americana pullets as a gift a few months back, which were really only 3 and 2 roosters. One of which was already eaten and one that is currently on deathrow, but he gave me this because he knew I had an interest in Araucanas and that the Americanas were part Araucana and part American bloodlines to decrease the effect of the lethal gene. Now this is just what I would do, because, like I said I was attracted to the Araucana and settled for a few Americanas....why not see if you can obtain an Araucana rooster; even if its a cull. Then the offspring of your girls, assuming they are also Americanas, will be truer to their ancestors.
One way or the other, and depending on your contacts locally, you should have no trouble in finding a replacement rooster. Your local ag store should be able to tell you who has chickens in your area, if you don't already know already. Or you can just go to "Where I am...Where you are" on this site to see who in this forum is in your area that can help you out, and find out who has what kind of bird.

 

[RevaVirginia]

With the uncertainties involved with rooster temperament one Idea comes to mind. Upon my oh so hectic introduction to the follies of raising chickens I had a D'anver Quail Bantam rooster. He was strikingly handsome and never shirked his roosterly duties. When he dealt with the hens it was swift and stern but not to the point where you'd consider it rough by any means. When he saw a human approaching he would run, at top speed, to meet them about half way and maneuver himself to the eventual arse kicking to whomever it was. This "tenderizing" I'd call it was a real pain to deal with but his size made it no more than a nuisance. I was crushed when he was taken unexpectedly from me. It was my mistake in doing what I thought was best as the other (full size) roosters started exerting their hormones. I Let him stay out of harms way, which proved to be just the opposite.

Maybe a bantam rooster would suffice no matter the temperament?

I had to deal with impossible ones too...and they were "dealt" with in various ways. But It's hard for me to imagine not having a any rooster at all. Although the one I have now I consider a gentleman above gentlemen he does have his moments, but that's part of why I love him.

God speed in finding the one that fits you and yours.

 

[halo]

Im sorry you had to do what you did, but it sounds like for his good traits he had an equal number of bad. I have 3 roosters that are very good to their girls and not aggressive towards me. I had to get rid of a few roosters, that werent so nice, but my chickens are for my enjoyment, and theres nothing enjoyable about seeing hens being abused, or having to watch my back when going into the coop. I know you feel badly, but you did the right thing for your situation, and Im sure you'll find a roo that will take care of your girls and be kind to you also.

 

[write2caroline]

I think every roo is different but if my roo becomes a terror - He will be dinner and I will do the deed myself! I know it is hard but I believe you did the right thing. I hear a lot of talk about egg production being better with a roo around. I don't know if that is myth or reality but if you are not breeding them then I would wait and see what comes in the box this spring and go from there!

Cal
Jax FL

 

[Pampered Chicken]

I'm facing something similar too. Over night my roo has started attacking my 6 year old son. If we can't get it under control he'll have to go. We free range and I can't have my son worrying ever time he goes outside.

 

[sherpagirl]

I understand what you're going through, I am experiencing a similar problem with my 6 month old cockerel who used to be my favorite little buddy. Now he has started to attack my hands and feet and those of other people also. He eats out of my hand sweetly and turns to putty when I pick him up, but I can't trust him when he's on the ground. People are telling me to put him down. This is hard, he's my pet. Isn't there any way to train roosters when they start unwanted behaviors?
Donna

 

[joebryant]

I seriously admire your take-the-matter-in-hand attitue and your dealing with it. Wish I could with a similar rooster that I have. I just keep giving him chance after chance. It's only a matter of time or bad luck before he seriously hurts me or my wife or someone else. Wish I weren't such a wuss and could prepare him for being a chicken/dumpling dinner.