Roosters & Toddlers?

[annie3001]

my experience with our rooster has been a very positive one. our chicks are with us from day 1 birth. they are familiar with my 2 young children. i think hand raised roosters do very well. although its our first rooster. we have been lucky.

 

[speckledhen]

Roosters & Toddlers?

Never, not on your life, no matter what rooster it is, never, ever trust a rooster with a toddler. Their movements are jerky and make roosters nervous. They are more likely to attack a toddler than an adult. You don't want to ever risk your child's eyes--a rooster is just the right height to do some serious damage.​

 

[RECE*2C*]

i have 2 roosters (no hens) and an 18 month old and a 3 year old that are in the same yard together... the roosters mostly stay in the bushes looking for bugs and leafs so iv never had a problem but i also wouldnt let a kid chase a rooster or be alone with it.

 

[CMV]

Quote:
Never, not on your life, no matter what rooster it is, never, ever trust a rooster with a toddler. Their movements are jerky and make roosters nervous. They are more likely to attack a toddler than an adult. You don't want to ever risk your child's eyes--a rooster is just the right height to do some serious damage.

Agree 100%. I have a roo that went after my 5 y.o. this summer. My daughter is a tough cookie and was able to fend him off until I ran across the yard to untangle them. It was a big wake-up call for us, though. The roo is not allowed to free-range anymore when guests or children are present. He will be put in the pot as soon as his replacement arrives.

 

[wildeflowers]

Yup. No matter how tame the rooster, being tame doesn't turn him into something else. He is still a rooster and his mission in life is to protect his flock. I am very careful with my roo around my kids. I do allow our rooster to free range, but my kids are much older than 1. I wouldn't even let a 1 year old hold a hen, quite frankly.

 

[Minniechickmama]

I totally agree about toddlers being kept away from the flock. Not a good mix in any situation.
That being said, my kids chores include collecting eggs and feeding the flock. I do morning chores, they do evening chores. My kids are 8, 12, and 14. I honestly think my 8-year old daughter is most likely to smack a roo for getting cocky of the three of them. I have told them the signs of aggression to look for and to never turn their back on the roosters.
I have thought of something in reading this thread...I am building a coop with breeding pens in it, and each pen will have 5-7 birds with one roo in each. I am thinking once they are more confined for the winter, I should probably take my daughter off the chore rotation or at least pair her up with her big brother or myself. I love my roos, but don't trust any. I have one NHR that already makes little attempts and I give him a little unexpected flight across the yard off the end of my foot. The kids know they are to watch him and don't even let him look at you for half a second.
I do think it is important to start teaching kids when they are young (I know toddlers are too young to understand) how to act and what to watch for around chickens.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Yes, I believe the same could be said for children and all animals. Kids should be taught how to deal with animals, what to do and what not to do, at a young age. Don't expect the animal to treat a child different just because the child is young and doesn't understand. We have two german shepherds. We have taken the time to teach the grandson what's okay to do with the dogs and what's not - not pulling on ears, tails, no bothering the dogs while they eat, etc. The dogs adore the GS, but they shouldn't be expected to tolerate too much.
Minnie, sounds like you are doing a great job of teaching your children that and I salute you.

 

[Minniechickmama]

Thanks, Gritstar. I am trying.

 

[Catstar68]

More chicken math:

unsupervised(toddler+rooster)=trip to the ER

It would be just a matter of time.

just my 2 pennies worth.

 

[CrazyForCochins927]

Thanks for everyone's input. I am pretty sure we will be saying "farewell" when the time comes. Just not worth the risk.

Thanks again!