Rooster pecking at my kids! Can I fix this behavior?

[Arnolds2638]

You did tell his new owners what he did at your house? Full disclosure is the only way to rehome such a bird! I hope they don't also have small children.
Mary

Yes! Of course. She is a work colleague. No littles. Told her full disclosure. I wouldn’t put anyone else or their kids at risk either!! I even put that info in my ad on here and on fb.

 

[CindyinSD]

Thanks everyone. We made the decision the night of my post to rehome him. We do love Mr Doodles. And we will miss his personality and the safety he brings to our hens as they free range. But it is not worth the risk of any harm to my kids. We have only allowed the kids near them if I was right there as well. Fortunately he has completely behaved since then. He is being picked up tomorrow to join a flock in the country who recently lost their rooster. So glad we were able to find a great place for a great little roo!

Next thing to figure out..: can my 3 remaining hens free range without their rooster?

My girls are pretty aware of shadows overhead (other than dogs, the biggest daytime danger.) Roosters can fight off neither dog nor hawk, but they're often good for a timely alarm. The ladies will most likely do as well without him as with. Just make sure there are plenty of places to hide; bushes/trees, picnic set, even tall grass...

 

[Everose]

Thanks everyone. We made the decision the night of my post to rehome him. We do love Mr Doodles. And we will miss his personality and the safety he brings to our hens as they free range. But it is not worth the risk of any harm to my kids. We have only allowed the kids near them if I was right there as well. Fortunately he has completely behaved since then. He is being picked up tomorrow to join a flock in the country who recently lost their rooster. So glad we were able to find a great place for a great little roo!

Next thing to figure out..: can my 3 remaining hens free range without their rooster?

You made good decision! We got rid of our beautiful jersey giant roo just this morning to a family with no little kids. He had begun to whack the kids with his wings (he was actually running them off in a nice way, but a big roo whacking them was super traumatic!). It seems like our roos feel like very loud playful kids chasing each other around the yard is scary so they try to keep the hens safe by scaring the tiny human monsters. He probably wasn't trying to be mean but it's always better to be safe than sorry

 

[Arnolds2638]

My girls are pretty aware of shadows overhead (other than dogs, the biggest daytime danger.) Roosters can fight off neither dog nor hawk, but they're often good for a timely alarm. The ladies will most likely do as well without him as with. Just make sure there are plenty of places to hide; bushes/trees, picnic set, even tall grass...

Ok. Thanks!

 

[Arnolds2638]

You made good decision! We got rid of our beautiful jersey giant roo just this morning to a family with no little kids. He had begun to whack the kids with his wings (he was actually running them off in a nice way, but a big roo whacking them was super traumatic!). It seems like our roos feel like very loud playful kids chasing each other around the yard is scary so they try to keep the hens safe by scaring the tiny human monsters. He probably wasn't trying to be mean but it's always better to be safe than sorry

Ya. I know he was just being protective. Not devious. Don’t hold it against him. Proud of the little guy. He’s a good rooster. Glad he will have a new flock to protect