Rooster questions

[Aklewis]

i have three Roos that I can tell right now but only one crows. He is considerably older than the other two but they should be crowing now as well. Is it a dominant thing that the other two won't crow? Also, this older roo has starting attacking my two younger kids , 3 and 18 mos. is this an aggressive trait that I should eliminate? Or does he just see them as a threat cause they are the same size as he is? I would rather not have to move him to the freezer but kids safety comes first.....

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Crowing is more about personality and development than dominance IMHO. I have 12 week old silkie boys who will crow it up in the same pen as my 1 year old Marans rooster. I have had them start as young as 10 weeks and as old as 28 weeks. Every single bird is an individual.

That rooster MUST GO!!!!

Attacking children is the # 1 reason not to keep a roo. Yes it's because they are smaller and he thinks he can take them down much easier than a large threat. He will move on to larger threats, like you. It will only escalate and could cause your kids some emotional trauma about chickens as well as possible blindness or other infection from his poo laced claws/spurs/flogging. I would have dispatched him on time # 1 of motioning to my kids. Or at least now with some experience, I would. It's quite a learning and growing process. Hang in there. If it's your first it may be difficult for you, but it's the right thing to do.

He would be in the freezer yesterday! Don't delay, I urge you desperately.

 

[chickens really]

Aggressive Birds have no place here on my Farm...Get rid of that Rooster...The others do not Crow because of that aggressive Rooster....If you don't need a Rooster get rid of them all...

 

[Bonniebooboo]

Definitely Freezer for food. Once they start attacking it does escalate from kids to grown ups. I had to do 3 one summer because of that. The Rode Island red was first to attack my granddaughter and he was less than a year old, I had to get between them several times. then he turned on me, he went to the chicken noodle pot. Got him out of the way and the second took over became dominant within a few weeks and he was a Buff orpington, My goodness, He snuck up on me without warning and nailed me in the back of the leg, he and I got into a flogging kicking match, he didn't want to give up, His name became BD because during that fight I kicked him pretty hard and broke his wing. so for a few months, he left us alone. never could fly after that, but after his wing healed good, he again snuck up and tried to attack, didn't get me as bad of course, due to his wing, he too went into the pot. Then the next one became dominant, also a Buff, hand raised. He only got me once, went to pot. 4th one stayed nice, also a Buff, I liked him, lost him when he misjudged the stocktank and drowned. Left me with no roos. Now I have 2 adults and are very good, non aggressive. They look after their girls, but don't bother us at all. one is a Barred rock and the other is a Buff x Sussex x? A pretty mutt... I think roosters are so beautiful to look at, but they make a good supper too. Be wise, don't sympathize. Best of luck to you.

 

[theoldchick]

Yes, it's common for a dominant roo to keep lesser roos from crowing. And, yes, aggressive roosters need to be culled when young children are involved. Actually, as young as your children are you don't need any rooster to keep your flock happy. While I'm sure there are roosters that folks trust with their children, all it takes is a spit second for a rooster spur to rip a toddler's eye. Hens don't need a rooster, and your children will be able to enjoy the flock even more without the threat of a rooster stalking them.

 

[Bonniebooboo]

I think it is just amazing how many times a Rooster can nail your leg in that second or two of attacking. Wearing boots sure helped...They don't need long spurs to do it, just pointed ones. Those long spurs sure go deeper though. OUCH!!!

 

[chickens really]

Nothing is worth the safety of your Children....A Rooster when fully attacking , never backs down....They fight to the death if they have too ...Keep it locked up and Cull it ASAP....

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hand raised are the WORST! in my experience.

 

[lazy gardener]

Definitely Freezer for food. Once they start attacking it does escalate from kids to grown ups. Be wise, don't sympathize. Best of luck to you.

Love your be wise rhyme! Agreed with all posters. In the case of this roo and family situation, I strongly urge a no roo flock. They simply are not needed, and I believe you will actually enjoy your flock experience without the roo drama. Not to mention that roos are loud. They start crowing before dawn, crow often throughout the day. They will interrupt your sleep, your kid's sleep, and even their naps!!! If you want to hatch eggs in the future, you can always get them from a neighbor who does have a roo. Then, in the future, when the kids are older, and you have more experience, you can try raising a roo again, if you decide to go that route.

 

[Aklewis]

Hand raised are the WORST! in my experience.

What do you mean by hand raised?