Hi, Last night my neighbor who's grown up with chickens told me the story about her favorite rooster, who loved her and hated her little brother, and how the roo spurred(sp.!) her brother when he went to collect eggs...well, it's made me do some research and I've been reading up on rooster behavior(I'd like to eventually get one) on the forum. But can't seem to find the answer to my question... What I was wondering is how exactly does a roo spur you? It seems that all the pictures of spurs I've seen point downward. How would he do it except to go up and then down on something or someone. Seems rather cumbersome. I'm really curious because I do have two young children and before I commit to having a rooster, I have to weigh the pros and cons, AND I've had my favorite dog bite my son(thank God, not serious!!) and the whole situation was so emotionally draining and don't want to have to go through something like that with another animal that I have the control to have or not! Any advice or info is greatly appreciated! Thanks! Cindy
I think it's like what I've seen in cockfighting pictures. The roo jumps at you kicking with it's feet and spurs. In cockfighting they attach razors and such to the spurs of the roos
chickens have their own personalities, spoil the little guy and you dont have to worry. I personaly have never been "flogged" or "spured" but my mom has, because she didnt know how to catch the roo. they will pick favorites of people. (Edited to remove links to videos not allowed on this site) but dont get the wrong idea about these loving pets. there is the daddy with the babies,and my bro in the back ground they may peck every now and again, especially at shinny things, but it doesnt hurt. Its like a little pinch
Slifer has bitten me numerous times, drawing blood. She's flogged me a couple of times but spurred me exactly once! A ten pound bird with 2 inch spurs can to a bunch of damage. They sort of jump up with their feet up. If you've seen Jurassic Park and the raptors, it's very similar. I was Slifer's person...no doubt about it. I could pick her up and pat her, but noone else could. My son was afraid of her.
I have a roo that only attacks my brother. he has never attacked any one else. I find it kind of strange
Our very first roo used to attack my son, who was 6 at the time. It got to the point where if the roo heard my sons voice, he would come charging. Needless to say it got to the point where my son was afraid to go out side. the roo has since been culled. We now have 3 roo's and we dont have any problems. I made sure that right from the beginning my son handled our roos as much as possible. But just last week, we had new babies hatched from a broody, they were on their very first adventure on their own, my head roo was very proud and protective of his babies. One of our cats escaped the house, and of course headed for the chickens, so I went to grab the cat. My roo decided that I was a prime target and spurred me right in the shin!!! Owww...not that I can blame him, he was just protecting his babies from the cat, but darn did that hurt! I still have two large punture wounds!! I look like I got bit by a very large snake! Perfect holes! Just goes to show what can happen.
Quote:2 of the long generations of my Spot roos. you could do anything to them, i even went as far to tie a scarf around his neck. (he even dug little nests in the ground) I have never had a mean roo. I had three we kept out of the coop and they would follow me everywhere i went. the spurs are very dangerous, you can file them down so they arent pointed, i would recommend this if a child is going to be handling the roo. I have cut myself on their spurs just by handling them. As far as keeping kids form getting attacked make sure they dont do anything to agitate the roos, and the kids need to be involved in raising the babies, so both are comfortable with each other.
Roosters jump up at you and usually get your legs, mine left a gash about 6 inches down the front and back of my legs. He has a problem with naked legs, I have to put on pants instead of shorts to feed my chickens or he'll get me.
i have a huge RIR roo, im the only one he wont bother!! he will attack everyone else, & chase them down!! i can walk right up to him & pick him up & hug him , i guess he just loves me.