To Roo or not to Roo... that is the question!

[Stephine]

I think you’re absolutely right. It never felt like the roo had much authority with the hens that were in the flock before he arrived. He does rule by brute strength and the younger hens seem to have learned to deal with him from the older hens. The only one that doesn’t run from him is his brooder mate (the bully) but he doesn’t try to mate with her either - her feathers are perfect!
I wish I could be ruthless.... I will try and rehome the roo.

oops - posted to soon. And the peepers on the bully hen. I can’t get rid of the sickly hens if it means killing them. I’ll figure out some separate housing if the situation doesn’t improve...

 

[Stephine]

I've had my flock with and without a rooster.

I have never had a 'good boy' rooster experience, but there were months in there when I didn't get attacked
As much as I love the idea of fertilized eggs, self sustainability, flock protection, and a nice lawn ornament, I have settled on the no rooster life. He separates me from my hens. They don't hop into my lap when I have a roo. I can't easily pick them up for health checks. I can't let my very competent neighbor girl watch them (attacks).

In my experience, roos make my flock more sustainable and more beautiful, but they lessen my calm enjoyment of my pets and hobby. Plus I hate wearing jeans and they scratch the daylights out of my legs on bad days.

I have lightly considered getting a bantam roo... we will see. If he attacks I could just flick him.

Yes! That’s exactly it! I think I am getting exactly to the point where you are.
The roo thinks the hens are his and the flock keeper is at best suspicious. When I want to pick up a hen to check her over or to doctor her he thinks I am attacking her. When I open the coop door in the morning my hens just tumble out, but when my roo gets to the pop door he darts out, gives me the side eye and drops his wing to herd all the hens back towards the coop and away from me. Of course the stronger ones completely ignore him, but he really does drive a wedge. Every single time I walk by the run or the coop windows he gives an alarm trill. When he is in springtime mode he will flap his wings and crow too... Even a bantam roo if he’s not nice would be a pain I think. I have learned to hold my roo off with just the sole of my shoe, he rarely leaves a mark on my legs now, but if you need to crouch or bend down even a bantam would be a problem. And I am just tired of being watchful!
Thanks!

 

[rascal66]

I've been fairly lucky I feel. I've yet to have a seriously aggressive/bad rooster. I do have a freedom ranger rooster who can be aggressive, but I deal with him in a way he has truly left me alone. But the hens trust him and listen to him well. He takes care of them, finds them treats, and sounds the alarm when needed. I do have a couple roosters who are a bit overly hormonal (maybe because of the season) but otherwise the couple head roosters keep the peace. I wish you luck!

 

[LizzzyJo]

Yes! That’s exactly it! I think I am getting exactly to the point where you are.
The roo thinks the hens are his and the flock keeper is at best suspicious. When I want to pick up a hen to check her over or to doctor her he thinks I am attacking her. When I open the coop door in the morning my hens just tumble out, but when my roo gets to the pop door he darts out, gives me the side eye and drops his wing to herd all the hens back towards the coop and away from me. Of course the stronger ones completely ignore him, but he really does drive a wedge. Every single time I walk by the run or the coop windows he gives an alarm trill. When he is in springtime mode he will flap his wings and crow too... Even a bantam roo if he’s not nice would be a pain I think. I have learned to hold my roo off with just the sole of my shoe, he rarely leaves a mark on my legs now, but if you need to crouch or bend down even a bantam would be a problem. And I am just tired of being watchful!
Thanks!

Yeah - it's the annoyance of the situation. Can't even open the pop door without having to be ready for battle! lol. I agree with you completely

 

[Stephine]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts - this has been so very helpful!
I think for me the answer is “not to roo”. Maybe if I get another oops cockerel in a future chick order I will give him a chance, but if he shows any bad behavior towards the hens or me he will go. Calm and peaceful enjoyment of my flock is what I am looking forward to!

 

[Stephine]

"Ruthless" is such a loaded word. How about "Pragmatic", or better still, "Practical".

I see your point. To me it does *feel* ruthless though, even though I *really* like the pragmatic/practical aspect of it.

 

[mangotangolango]

Yeah - it's the annoyance of the situation. Can't even open the pop door without having to be ready for battle! lol. I agree with you completely

Same