Rooster? Or no rooster? That is the question.

[andreanar]

We don't keep roosters anymore, Seems to me we always have 1 hen that steps up to be the watcher and alarm caller for the flock.

We had 2 cockerals once. They got to be around 5 months old and the alpha cockerel attacked my sister. She had no idea it was coming. My sister is not a child and is a big, strong woman. If I didn't hear it from her, I never would believe a bird could have inflicted such a brutal fight. The attack went on for 10 minutes, the bird was hit with a big stick a few times and still he didn't stop. He went at my sisters face with his spurs and feet over and over. If that had been a child, I can only imagine the damage that would have been done.

We had no need to keep roos. Why bother with the worry for the kids. Now all the kids in our family can be around the girls with no worries. They love to collect eggs. We wanted the flock to be family friendly.

 

[RoostersAreAwesome]

One of the notions the original poster had, was that the friendly rooster would be the best bet, even though he had been starting signs of aggression to her son. She thought that the son had chased the roosters, and the rooster was getting back at him for that.

That is misunderstanding chicken society. Chicken equate fear with respect. Chickens have a hierarchy where either a bird is afraid of another, or another is afraid of that bird.
As long as all accept the position, the flock is peaceful. However, this frequently changes as time progresses.

Because the rooster was out going, and not afraid of humans, people tend to think of that rooster as liking them. That is not true, that rooster thinks that people are submissive to him, as he comes into his own, he will want to keep that position, and will forcefully try and do so. They almost always pick children first, but eventually will attack women and men if not stopped.

I really don't like roosters with children if they have to share a tight space. If the coop/run is a long ways from the house, were as small children can play away from the chickens it is better. But even so, every person needs to be aware of roosters all of the time. Little kids can be seriously hurt by a mean rooster.

Mrs k

Not all friendly roosters turn aggressive. I have two very friendly roos who haven't attacked or shown any signs that they want to attack me.


To the OP: If you do end up keeping one of your roos, remember to never walk around him. Always walk through him so he has to move. It teaches the rooster that you are alpha roo, he isn't.

 

[Chickassan]

First let me tell you I love roosters, they are indeed awesome. But if you are in any way shape or form afraid of roosters don't have one. They know if you're afraid, they know if you're not serious, they know if they can push you. Roosters are unbelievably strong and resilient which makes them terrific flock protectors but also horrifying if you find yourself on the wrong end.If you keep a rooster teach your kid about the seriousness of the rooster, way better than if he finds out on his own. Good luck on your rooster decision.

 

[lazy gardener]

I agree with Lof Mc. But, if OP is determined to keep a cockerel, in this case, I advise her to follow the advice given by Beekissed:

I'm going to give you a clue on "rooster speak"....holding him down doesn't mean anything to him. If you'll watch how roosters interact between dominant ones and subordinate ones, there is rarely any, if ever, holding a bird down for a long time when there is an altercation. There is very quick flogging, gripping by the back of the head and flinging him away or getting him down and giving some savage pecking to the back of the head or neck. No holding him down and nothing else. That's a rooster on a hen maneuver, not rooster on rooster.

Because your rooster is attacking you, you are the subordinate in this picture. You are getting dominated by your bird simply because you are walking where a subordinate isn't supposed to be walking when a dominant is in the area. What you never see is a dominant rooster getting attacked by a subordinate rooster unless there is going to be a definite shift in power, at which time the sub will challenge the dom and win...or lose. So far you are losing and not even challenging.

If you want to win this battle, you must go on the offensive, not the defensive. He who attacks first, and is still claiming the area when the other guy leaves it, is the winner. Some people never have to go on the offensive because their movements in the coop are so decisive that they move and act like a dominant and a 2 ft. rooster is smart enough to recognize a dominant attitude and behavior...which is likely why he's never attacked your husband. Most men move more decisively than do women and children and they rarely step around a bird, but walk through them.

Carrying him around also doesn't mean anything to him...it just doesn't translate at all. His environment is that coop and run floor and that's where you need to speak to him, in a language he understands. Because they are quick on their feet and can evade you, you need a training tool like a long, limber, supple rod of some kind...cutting a nice switch from a shrub or tree that will lengthen your reach by 5 ft. really helps in this. Don't use a rake or broom because they are too clumsy and stiff and can put the hurts on the guy when you don't really mean to.

When you enter your coop, walk with decisive movements and walk directly towards your rooster. Move him away from the feeder and the rest of the flock and keep a slow, determined pressure on him until he leaves the coop. The stick will help you guide him. Then...wait patiently while he gets his bird mind around what just happened. He will try to come back in the coop...let him. When he gets a good bit into that coop, take your switch and give him a good smack on the fluffy feathers under his tail if you can aim it well. If you cannot, just smack the floor near him very hard and fast until he hops and runs and keep at it until he leaves the coop once again. Repeat this process until he is too wary to come back in the coop.

Feed your hens. When he tries to come to the feeder, you "attack" him with the switch...smack the wall by the pop door just as he tries to enter. If he makes it inside, pursue him with the stick either smacking the floor or tapping him on the back or the head until he leaves in a hurry. Make him stay outside while you sit there and enjoy watching your hens eat. Use the stick to keep him from the flock..just him. Don't worry about the hens running and getting excited when this is happening...they will get over it. This is for the future of your flock and your management of it.

When the hens have had a good tucker....leave the coop and let him come back in. Go out later and walk through that flock and use your legs to scatter birds if they get in your way...top roosters do not step to one side for any other bird in the flock. You shouldn't either. Take your stick and startle him with a smack on the floor next to him when he is least expecting it...make that bird jump and RUN. Make him so nervous around you that he is always looking over his shoulder and trying to get out of your way. THAT'S how he needs to be from now on in your lives together. Forget about pets or cuddles...this is a language and behavior he understands. You can hand feed him and such later...right now you need to establish that when you move, he moves...away. When you turn your back, he doesn't move towards you...ever.

Then test him...take your stick along, move around in the coop, bend over with your back turned to him, feed, water, etc....but keep one eye on that rooster. If he even makes one tiny step in your direction or in your "zone", go on the attack and run him clear on out of the coop. Then keep him out while everyone else is eating.

THAT'S how a dominant rooster treats a subordinate. They don't let them crow, mate or even eat in their space. If the subordinate knows his place and watches over his shoulder a lot, he may get to come and eat while the other rooster is at the feeder...but he doesn't ever relax if he knows what is good for him. At any given time the dominant will run him off of that feed and he knows it, so he eats with one eye toward the door. If he feels the need to crow, it's not usually where the dom can reach him...maybe across the yard.

If your rooster crows while you are there, move towards him and keep on the pressure until he stops. He doesn't get to crow while you are there. He can crow later...not while you are there.

It all sounds time consuming but it really isn't...shouldn't take more than minutes for each lesson and you can learn a lot as you go along. And it can be fun if you venture into it with the right attitude....this is rooster training that really works if you do it correctly. This can work on strange roosters, multiple roosters and even old roosters...they can all learn. You rule the coop...now act like it. Carrying is for babies...you have a full grown rooster on your hands, not a baby.

 

[Mikus]

Yeah me having my son around is what is bothering me. Of course my son is most important to me!
And he loves the chickens so much but cant get very close to them unless i go grab the one he wants and bring it to him. Its just a tough thing to think about because i am quite the softy! Even with my roosters. I dont know if I want to kill them just yet but I have considered it.
Of course I couldn't do it. Someone will have to do the dirty work for me.

I guess I just need some input on how to weigh my options. Should i have a rooster flock? Should I rehome? Should I try and correct some dominant behaviour? I have noo idea.
*side note- I do want to incubate eggs at some point. Maybe next year. Thats another reason on why I would like to keep one.

I've just recently got a new young Rooster, and after reading stories on this site I'm very sceptical...obviously he's gorgeous and I love watching him strutting around, I'm new to this aswell and I suppose it could be a case of trial and error but I'm keeping a very close eye....he may see me as the alpha roo but what if my kids or dog take him unaware? If you'd like chicks then you can buy fertile eggs which you can place under a broody hen...so you don't really 'need' a rooster....certainly good for thought on this site! Good luck and hope all goes well for you!

 

[Mikus]

I agree with Lof Mc. But, if OP is determined to keep a cockerel, in this case, I advise her to follow the advice given by Beekissed:

I'm going to give you a clue on "rooster speak"....holding him down doesn't mean anything to him. If you'll watch how roosters interact between dominant ones and subordinate ones, there is rarely any, if ever, holding a bird down for a long time when there is an altercation. There is very quick flogging, gripping by the back of the head and flinging him away or getting him down and giving some savage pecking to the back of the head or neck. No holding him down and nothing else. That's a rooster on a hen maneuver, not rooster on rooster.

Because your rooster is attacking you, you are the subordinate in this picture. You are getting dominated by your bird simply because you are walking where a subordinate isn't supposed to be walking when a dominant is in the area. What you never see is a dominant rooster getting attacked by a subordinate rooster unless there is going to be a definite shift in power, at which time the sub will challenge the dom and win...or lose. So far you are losing and not even challenging.

If you want to win this battle, you must go on the offensive, not the defensive. He who attacks first, and is still claiming the area when the other guy leaves it, is the winner. Some people never have to go on the offensive because their movements in the coop are so decisive that they move and act like a dominant and a 2 ft. rooster is smart enough to recognize a dominant attitude and behavior...which is likely why he's never attacked your husband. Most men move more decisively than do women and children and they rarely step around a bird, but walk through them.

Carrying him around also doesn't mean anything to him...it just doesn't translate at all. His environment is that coop and run floor and that's where you need to speak to him, in a language he understands. Because they are quick on their feet and can evade you, you need a training tool like a long, limber, supple rod of some kind...cutting a nice switch from a shrub or tree that will lengthen your reach by 5 ft. really helps in this. Don't use a rake or broom because they are too clumsy and stiff and can put the hurts on the guy when you don't really mean to.

When you enter your coop, walk with decisive movements and walk directly towards your rooster. Move him away from the feeder and the rest of the flock and keep a slow, determined pressure on him until he leaves the coop. The stick will help you guide him. Then...wait patiently while he gets his bird mind around what just happened. He will try to come back in the coop...let him. When he gets a good bit into that coop, take your switch and give him a good smack on the fluffy feathers under his tail if you can aim it well. If you cannot, just smack the floor near him very hard and fast until he hops and runs and keep at it until he leaves the coop once again. Repeat this process until he is too wary to come back in the coop.

Feed your hens. When he tries to come to the feeder, you "attack" him with the switch...smack the wall by the pop door just as he tries to enter. If he makes it inside, pursue him with the stick either smacking the floor or tapping him on the back or the head until he leaves in a hurry. Make him stay outside while you sit there and enjoy watching your hens eat. Use the stick to keep him from the flock..just him. Don't worry about the hens running and getting excited when this is happening...they will get over it. This is for the future of your flock and your management of it.

When the hens have had a good tucker....leave the coop and let him come back in. Go out later and walk through that flock and use your legs to scatter birds if they get in your way...top roosters do not step to one side for any other bird in the flock. You shouldn't either. Take your stick and startle him with a smack on the floor next to him when he is least expecting it...make that bird jump and RUN. Make him so nervous around you that he is always looking over his shoulder and trying to get out of your way. THAT'S how he needs to be from now on in your lives together. Forget about pets or cuddles...this is a language and behavior he understands. You can hand feed him and such later...right now you need to establish that when you move, he moves...away. When you turn your back, he doesn't move towards you...ever.

Then test him...take your stick along, move around in the coop, bend over with your back turned to him, feed, water, etc....but keep one eye on that rooster. If he even makes one tiny step in your direction or in your "zone", go on the attack and run him clear on out of the coop. Then keep him out while everyone else is eating.

THAT'S how a dominant rooster treats a subordinate. They don't let them crow, mate or even eat in their space. If the subordinate knows his place and watches over his shoulder a lot, he may get to come and eat while the other rooster is at the feeder...but he doesn't ever relax if he knows what is good for him. At any given time the dominant will run him off of that feed and he knows it, so he eats with one eye toward the door. If he feels the need to crow, it's not usually where the dom can reach him...maybe across the yard.

If your rooster crows while you are there, move towards him and keep on the pressure until he stops. He doesn't get to crow while you are there. He can crow later...not while you are there.

It all sounds time consuming but it really isn't...shouldn't take more than minutes for each lesson and you can learn a lot as you go along. And it can be fun if you venture into it with the right attitude....this is rooster training that really works if you do it correctly. This can work on strange roosters, multiple roosters and even old roosters...they can all learn. You rule the coop...now act like it. Carrying is for babies...you have a full grown rooster on your hands, not a baby.

Love this....great advice

 

[smoore7489]

I agree with Lof Mc. But, if OP is determined to keep a cockerel, in this case, I advise her to follow the advice given by Beekissed:

I'm going to give you a clue on "rooster speak"....holding him down doesn't mean anything to him. If you'll watch how roosters interact between dominant ones and subordinate ones, there is rarely any, if ever, holding a bird down for a long time when there is an altercation. There is very quick flogging, gripping by the back of the head and flinging him away or getting him down and giving some savage pecking to the back of the head or neck. No holding him down and nothing else. That's a rooster on a hen maneuver, not rooster on rooster.

Because your rooster is attacking you, you are the subordinate in this picture. You are getting dominated by your bird simply because you are walking where a subordinate isn't supposed to be walking when a dominant is in the area. What you never see is a dominant rooster getting attacked by a subordinate rooster unless there is going to be a definite shift in power, at which time the sub will challenge the dom and win...or lose. So far you are losing and not even challenging.

If you want to win this battle, you must go on the offensive, not the defensive. He who attacks first, and is still claiming the area when the other guy leaves it, is the winner. Some people never have to go on the offensive because their movements in the coop are so decisive that they move and act like a dominant and a 2 ft. rooster is smart enough to recognize a dominant attitude and behavior...which is likely why he's never attacked your husband. Most men move more decisively than do women and children and they rarely step around a bird, but walk through them.

Carrying him around also doesn't mean anything to him...it just doesn't translate at all. His environment is that coop and run floor and that's where you need to speak to him, in a language he understands. Because they are quick on their feet and can evade you, you need a training tool like a long, limber, supple rod of some kind...cutting a nice switch from a shrub or tree that will lengthen your reach by 5 ft. really helps in this. Don't use a rake or broom because they are too clumsy and stiff and can put the hurts on the guy when you don't really mean to.

When you enter your coop, walk with decisive movements and walk directly towards your rooster. Move him away from the feeder and the rest of the flock and keep a slow, determined pressure on him until he leaves the coop. The stick will help you guide him. Then...wait patiently while he gets his bird mind around what just happened. He will try to come back in the coop...let him. When he gets a good bit into that coop, take your switch and give him a good smack on the fluffy feathers under his tail if you can aim it well. If you cannot, just smack the floor near him very hard and fast until he hops and runs and keep at it until he leaves the coop once again. Repeat this process until he is too wary to come back in the coop.

Feed your hens. When he tries to come to the feeder, you "attack" him with the switch...smack the wall by the pop door just as he tries to enter. If he makes it inside, pursue him with the stick either smacking the floor or tapping him on the back or the head until he leaves in a hurry. Make him stay outside while you sit there and enjoy watching your hens eat. Use the stick to keep him from the flock..just him. Don't worry about the hens running and getting excited when this is happening...they will get over it. This is for the future of your flock and your management of it.

When the hens have had a good tucker....leave the coop and let him come back in. Go out later and walk through that flock and use your legs to scatter birds if they get in your way...top roosters do not step to one side for any other bird in the flock. You shouldn't either. Take your stick and startle him with a smack on the floor next to him when he is least expecting it...make that bird jump and RUN. Make him so nervous around you that he is always looking over his shoulder and trying to get out of your way. THAT'S how he needs to be from now on in your lives together. Forget about pets or cuddles...this is a language and behavior he understands. You can hand feed him and such later...right now you need to establish that when you move, he moves...away. When you turn your back, he doesn't move towards you...ever.

Then test him...take your stick along, move around in the coop, bend over with your back turned to him, feed, water, etc....but keep one eye on that rooster. If he even makes one tiny step in your direction or in your "zone", go on the attack and run him clear on out of the coop. Then keep him out while everyone else is eating.

THAT'S how a dominant rooster treats a subordinate. They don't let them crow, mate or even eat in their space. If the subordinate knows his place and watches over his shoulder a lot, he may get to come and eat while the other rooster is at the feeder...but he doesn't ever relax if he knows what is good for him. At any given time the dominant will run him off of that feed and he knows it, so he eats with one eye toward the door. If he feels the need to crow, it's not usually where the dom can reach him...maybe across the yard.

If your rooster crows while you are there, move towards him and keep on the pressure until he stops. He doesn't get to crow while you are there. He can crow later...not while you are there.

It all sounds time consuming but it really isn't...shouldn't take more than minutes for each lesson and you can learn a lot as you go along. And it can be fun if you venture into it with the right attitude....this is rooster training that really works if you do it correctly. This can work on strange roosters, multiple roosters and even old roosters...they can all learn. You rule the coop...now act like it. Carrying is for babies...you have a full grown rooster on your hands, not a baby.

Wonderful advice!! I love it. We have decided to rehome to a new family with no little kids. But next roo we get I will be following this advice to ensure my son and me do everything right.

 

[Bird Mimic]

I wonder how aggressive your Roody would have been, if your son carried a big stick?
That worked for me as a kid. (300+ flock) I was the Boss @ 3yrs of age.
Did your son want to get rid of him?

 

[smoore7489]

Y

I wonder how aggressive your Roody would have been, if your son carried a big stick?
That worked for me as a kid. (300+ flock) I was the Boss @ 3yrs of age.
Did your son want to get rid of him?

Well we had him carry around a plastic sword thing when he was outside. Which worked at the time. The roosters would just scatter away because he practiced his ninja moves out there. Lol (not towards them but out in the yard away from every one)

The problem was however, when i was outside collecting eggs, feeding, etc and i left him inside, he would sometimes wonder outside to help or just to "play" (aka chase) with the hens. Thats when roody would go after him. He never brought out his "weapon'' like we always reminded him to. He just didnt realize how important it was I guess.

We plan to get a rooster after a while because we just love them. He didnt even want to be rid of him but I didnt want the spurs to come in and there was another day he just wondered out without me knowing.

Heres to hoping we can start to coexist with them again! They are so interesting to be around.

 

[rainee63]

How would u go about rehoming a rooster?

When i say "softy" i mean, i won't be able to kill it unless necessary. I couldn't kill it as precaution.
I want the roosters to live a pretty good rooster life before their life ends. Rather I like em or not.

I'm in this boat. I have 3 grandbabies here. And 4 roosters. To be honest, I was loving being a mother hen til their hormones kicked in. Now it's a nightmare. It's depressing. I've been casting about far and wide for new homes for these guys, but so far, no takers. 1 of them is very proficient about escaping the pen, he rules the yard now. Even my dog won't go out anymore. So it comes down to hatchet time, which is also depressing. I didn't raise them in my bathroom just to kill them 5 months later. But I guess it's just a fact of life. The side of raising chicks nobody mentions. But I suppose being a well-rounded chicken keeper includes humanely harvesting occasionally. Why do the facts of life often suck? I thought long and hard about a rooster flock, but I don't have the space, and would rather utilize what I have in positive ways. I really do want to breed next year. So I know there will be 1 roo in our future. But trying to manage 4 (out of 6) is just not working.