Seven dead hens within 4 hours, not attacked. UPDATE: Teflon Poisoning!

[Kymberli Mundwiller]

My mom kept a rooster all by himself for some time. Long time ago when we lived in Times Beach, MO. I was young so I don't remember much, except she had a roo in a cage...anyway, the neighbor HATED the rooster. Until one morning, the rooster died, and the guy was late for work.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-hampshire.357963/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/maine.1370/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/animals-in-need-of-free-re-homing.16182/


can also check some local threads

 

[bruceha2000]

I suggest you raise the chicks in the coop in a wire enclosed brooding space (with a MHP setup). The rooster will see them and they will see him. Integration would be no different than it would be with any other adult birds. Plenty of people go through this every year or 2 or 3.

There are discussions about integration all over BYC. One that seems to work well is to make portals in the wall of the brooder space so the littles can get out but the bigger birds can't get in. Usually the bigger birds don't feel challenged by the littles other than around the feeder so make sure you have at least 2 separated by a good distance.

 

[TwoCrows]

If you are near a big city, you might check your local animal shelter. Lots of times people drop off chickens there too.

 

[AaronandAlice]

Every bird is different. Some roosters might be gentle, others not so much. Chicks can get stepped on, worse yet, chicks nearing maturity should not be mated with until they are of age.

He's definitely not gentle- I'm guessing he weighs 15 lbs too.

 

[AaronandAlice]

so sorry!! he will get lonely they are flock birds

Do you know anyone around who wants or needs a rooster? He is handsome, and actually friendly to people. He lets me pick him up and pet him and walk around.

 

[aart]

Do you know anyone around who wants or needs a rooster? He is handsome, and actually friendly to people. He lets me pick him up and pet him and walk around.

This might be your best bet, then start from scratch come spring.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

Do you know anyone around who wants or needs a rooster? He is handsome, and actually friendly to people. He lets me pick him up and pet him and walk around.

he sounds very sweet, i know there was someon recently on the nh thread that was giving away excess pullets or hens

 

[DwayneNLiz]

i unfortunately have 1 too many roosters and am just waiting for this arctic weather to pass so i can process one of them

 

[AaronandAlice]

i unfortunately have 1 too many roosters and am just waiting for this arctic weather to pass so i can process one of them

We nearly had someone 'process' ours just before Christmas because he had worn the feathers off some of their backs causing them to peck one another. I bought some super smelly purple/ brown colored stuff to 'deter cannibalism' and it worked thankfully.