Terrorized by roosters! HELP!

[dianneS]

Well, I had another discussion with my husband. I stressed once again how dangerous these roosters are and they are making my life miserable! He told me not to let them out of the coop as much! Some solution that is. How am I supposed to feed and water them? They are even more aggressive when I go into their pen!

I decided that I would tell DH that if he wants to keep these roos, that he will have to take over the care of the chickens. Yesterday the chickens ran out of water and they just had to wait until DH got home to refill it! He agreed that he should take care of the chickens, so that will be his daily chore from now on. We also discussed removing the spurs from these roosters too.

I've tried showing the roosters "who's boss". It only makes them worse. I've dunked them in a bucket of water a few times after they've flogged me. It didn't help. I nearly killed the little one and it had no impact on him at all. The more "confident" I am with them, the more aggressive they become. I've also tried buttering them up and being nice to them. Nothing works. The big rooster deliberately heads across the yard to cut me off at the pass on purpose to create a confrontation. Every move I make is seen as an affront to these guys. Even looking at them is interpreted as a sign of aggression.

I'm going to give DH a chance at taking over care of the chickens. I'll also try removing the spurs. I may even set up a food and water situation where I can refill things throughout the day without going inside the coop. (fill water through the wire with a hose and toss feed into the yard from above) That way they won't go hungry or dehydrate if DH is working a long day.

If these compromises do not work, the roosters are going on craigslist.... OR if they attack me again I'll clobber them til they are dead this time and let DH know that it was in self-defense!

Wish me luck! I hope we can work something out because I can't live like this any longer.

 

[dani_chickenz]

I think if they arent being nice....then its time for them to leave

 

[xera13]

i totally understand how you feel. I have one little guy that was like this. And its only gotten worse since he grew his spurs. He was pretty aggressive towards me and my "wonderful" man thought it was hysterical that i was chased by the rooster and I should just show him who the boss was. Him being part bantee so he wasnt too big still scared the crap out of me. Until he got me bared legg one day and he hardly broke the skin so I usually just freeze when he comes up on me. Well this spring he grew huge spurs and my leg was bruised and hurt for weeks. Now he thinks he's top poop around here and continously tries to get me. We have another roo that is bigger but less dominate that used to defend me and go after him but we had to seperate as the fights were looking like they woiuld kill each other. I know i should keep the nice one and get rid of the mean lil jerk but im told the nice one is going on the chopping block today. I'm only agreeing to this because we have wildlife and neighbor dogs and he defends his girls so i just watch over my shoulder. men can be so uncaring when they dont understand. This roo chased me after surgery and it took 20 min trying to raise my foot as far up as i could when he attacked. my boot and him covered in blood. And of course he just laughed. Perhaps its the men that should go in the stew pot..lol

 

[BarnGoddess01]

Quote:
Shaking my head here.

Clearly, I'm better off without roos AND husbands!!!

 

[LilBiddy]

OH dear me....what have I done? I just got four little chickens and have no clue the sex of any of them. I'm brand new to this and reading poor Diane's story I'm wondering, "Oh Good Lord....what do I have back there in my little coop waiting????

I'm sorry Diane...but really I did laugh during the reading of your story because you are so vivid with your descriptions I could almost see it happening. I know it isn't funny to you, so please don't be upset with me that I laughed....it only shows my ignorance because I am a first timer here. I have no clue what I'm getting into or what I've got back there in my little coop. But I can certainly see where what you described as being a terroristic experience for sure. I'm afraid I couldn't be as tolerant as you have been. God Bless you for that but really...you SHOULD NOT have to put up with that at all!!!! As several others have said.....off with his head! You after all, are THE QUEEN of his coop and his territory.

I had no idea until I read your story that "roos" as you all call them could be that stubborn and terroristic.....I do recall my mother a couple of years ago decided to get chickens. She had a dominicker that she ended up having to carry an umbrella with her into the pen because this roo would come running at her to flog her. She'd open and close that umbrella at him....end of story?.......he met with the cook pot in the end.

Girl.........I know you're torn cuz your husband likes them but unless he wants to pay for hospital bills because you end up with a systemic infection from all those puncture wounds and such....he needs to hold a public execution of those little Al Queda roos you have....

 

[dianneS]

"Oh Good Lord....what do I have back there in my little coop waiting????

I suggest that if any of them start crowing some day, get rid of them immediately! I wish I had. I used to like having roosters around and couldn't understand my friend who refuses to have a single rooster anywhere on her property. Now I understand. I wish I were roo-free too.

Actually, I just went out to the coop and let all of the hens out and managed to keep the two roos inside! The girls are out having a good old time and the boys are behind bars where they belong! Ha! Ha! They are not happy about it one bit, and I don't care. Take that roosters!...

I'm going to give some of these methods a try tonight when DH gets home and he can help catch those boys. http://hubpages.com/hub/Taming-Wild-Roosters

I did have DH walk with me to the barn the other day because the one big rooster kept trying to cross paths with me on purpose just to start conflict. My husband acted as a human shield for me and it worked, but he can't follow me around everywhere! I wish I could get my little dogs to stick with me when I walk around the property because they chase the roos from time to time, just not on command!

I'll give these rooster taming methods a try and update as to how they work out!

 

[chickensbythesea]

Quote:
Don't let this freak you out too much! We've raised more roosters than I'd like to admit, from multiple breeds, and they've all been incredibly human friendly. Like a dog, don't let them prey on your fear, calm assertion and an authoritative demeanor will do wonders. If you are scared, think cold and logically. I've never met a rooster that weighed more than say, 10-15 pounds. If something non-poisonous weighs like 10% of my body weight, I guarantee I can punt it, or stomp on it, and even if it gets a few whacks in, I will win. It might make me pretty surly, but stressing about maybe getting mad is even MORE silly.

I can't scientifically prove it, but I operate under the assumption that roosters are kind of like dogs- they can sense apprehension and fear and will prey on it, since they are always keeping tabs on when they can usurp the alpha spot from the competition.
You just can't let them think they stand a chance at scaring you off. If it helps, ham it up, act like Godzilla, stomp and roar, ANYTHING that helps you feel bigger and badder, because you ARE bigger and badder.

They don't have to know you won't squish them like bugs for acting up, even if you'd never hurt a fly.

 

[ralleia]

Quote:
I rather think that a lot of women *are* better off without husbands. I feel like a single parent much of the time, having to pick up after both a seven-year-old and a forty-six year-old. It takes a written invitation to get any help around here from the older child. At least I'm training the younger one to help out a bit.

 

[chickenlover96]

i have never had a problem with roosters i hade one mean one and all i did was give him and wack and showed him i was boss and never hade a problem with a rooster since just dont show them fear because they go after people that are scared of them

 

[Blue]

Quote:
Don't stress about your possible roosters too much. We've had plenty of roosters over the years, and the only mean ones we've had were a couple of bantams. Mean roos happen, but there are just as many, if not more, nice roosters out there. Also, I've heard that the mean rooster were the best tasting.