To cull or not to cull?

[RedfogsFlock]

We got a polish rooster about 3 weeks ago. We kept him penned up for about a week. Then we let him out to mingle with the flock. Now we were nervous because we already had a roo. Everything went ok, and the roo's got along fine.

Now the other day we were outside, and our polish roo took off across the yard and jumped on our mama duck! I got her loose, but he took right out after her again! This time when I caught up to him I punted him! I was bare foot, and I didn't hurt him because I tried not to. Within moments he had pulled a bald bloody spot on her back. I snatched him up and penned him. Later that day when it come time to feed he did it again. Our oldest Big Red always jumps into the feed bucket and eats while I spread the food. Well then suddenly he jumps on her back and just starts ripping out feathers again! So this time he got put in his own coop!
The next day while I was feeding him, he jumped over my head, and bit me on the back of my leg! Yes, he bit me because his spurs are filed off currently. Then later that day I let him out for a bit to see if he could behave himself. Up to these two days, he had been AWESOME! Really sweet to the girls, our other roo, our ducks, and even us! As soon as I let him out of the coop he takes off running, and attacked one of our babies!!!

Now backing up a day or so before this all happened. ....

I decided to leave our flock out while we went to work. This was the first and ONLY time I've ever done that. When we came home our drake duck was dead! He had been eaten. We thought it was our 10 week old puppy because the carcass was in the dog kennel, and clearly he had been eating on it. BUT after seeing how the rooster has been attacking the ducks and others I wonder if maybe he didn't kill our duck, and the puppy was just playing with chew toy.?

What is this roosters deal? Do they all turn mean like this cuz if so then I'm eating our other rooster too! We've had our other rooster since he was 8 weeks old, and is currently 5 months old. He doesn't even crow yet, so I'm holding out hope for him.

So the question is........................ should we fatten him up and make a good soup out of him?....... OR ......should we try to give him yet another chance?

 

[Higins00]

Sounds like the polish killed it and the puppy was playing with it. I had a mean roo before did the same thing, there are nice ones out there that are gentle on the hens and are good protectors. Keep the 5 month old he sounds like he fits in. Fatten up the polish!!

 

[Chickiemama1010]

I agree. And to answer one of your questions, not all roos are aggressive like that. If the polish is an adut and the 5mo old is the orig roo of the flock, then I would guess the polish is trying to establish dominance, and he is doing it with the other creatures in the yard, but not the cockerel you have. Maybe its due to age diff between them and he thinks the cockerel isnt a threat to his alpha roo status? Or maybe the 5mo old just let his position be taken because he never tried the alpha thing. maybe one of the hens is the top of the pecking order. Im no expert, but I do know not all roosters turn out to be jerks.

Some people put up with roosters quirks and occasional aggression more than others. Some cull at the first sideways glance a roo gives to any thing. That decision is yours. But, if it were me, that polish would be in the freezer by the weekend.

My roo was always sweet as pie to the girls, very good protector, look out, and companion for the hens. He is not very nice to people tho, especially me (i'm his biggest competition for the hens attn) He went to "reform" school via boot and broom to butt method. He learned his lesson, but has taken to attacking my dog, chasing my friends, my kid, anyone that comes into his line of sight. He has since been confined to the run, I dont trust him and refuse to leave my back door armed with a broom. He will be in the freezer as soon as my chicks are able to go into the run with the rest. And as soon as he molts. Figure he'll be easier to pluck then. I put up with it long enough, and I feel like there are so many roos in the world looking for work, and only a handful of positions available. I want to "hire" the right man for the job. I dont have a position avail for a jerk

Good luck to you. Its a tough decision, especially if your flock is more like pets to you than livestock.