To Rooster or not to Rooster?

[JessOlson0830]

Hi

I'm relatively new to chicken raising and have a few questions. I'll apologize in advance if they are redundant= SORRY! I've tried searching the threads here and on Google but can't seem to find a consistent answer.

We got 6 hens last fall and allowed them to free range. Something picked them off one by one until we only had one left. My husband (not nearly as interested in scouring the internet ahead of time as I am) went to the store and came home with two hens and an Ameraucana rooster. So far the rooster has done great protecting the hens, all three are still alive anyway. But this guy literally hunts down and attacks my toddler. He is not going to be sticking around here for much longer.

So I need something to protect my hens. I've heard a goose could be good for this. The guy at the store said a rooster would be best but obviously we don't want an aggressive one. He also said we should have more hens which I'm looking into getting chicks anyway, would it be best to get a rooster as a chick and raise it up? Can I just raise it with the hen chicks? At what age is a rooster old enough to start bossing around his hens? When can I introduce him to the older hens?

I've been looking into more docile breeds but there are so many differences in opinion as far as raising one. Handle it a lot or don't handle it a lot? Am I just going to end up with the same issue of a rooster terrorizing my kid?

 

[Henry&Friends]

Hi

I'm relatively new to chicken raising and have a few questions. I'll apologize in advance if they are redundant= SORRY! I've tried searching the threads here and on Google but can't seem to find a consistent answer.

We got 6 hens last fall and allowed them to free range. Something picked them off one by one until we only had one left. My husband (not nearly as interested in scouring the internet ahead of time as I am) went to the store and came home with two hens and an Ameraucana rooster. So far the rooster has done great protecting the hens, all three are still alive anyway. But this guy literally hunts down and attacks my toddler. He is not going to be sticking around here for much longer.

So I need something to protect my hens. I've heard a goose could be good for this. The guy at the store said a rooster would be best but obviously we don't want an aggressive one. He also said we should have more hens which I'm looking into getting chicks anyway, would it be best to get a rooster as a chick and raise it up? Can I just raise it with the hen chicks? At what age is a rooster old enough to start bossing around his hens? When can I introduce him to the older hens?

I've been looking into more docile breeds but there are so many differences in opinion as far as raising one. Handle it a lot or don't handle it a lot? Am I just going to end up with the same issue of a rooster terrorizing my kid?

No. All roosters are different, and have different temperaments.

first and foremost, the rooster that hunts down your toddler needs to go. Whether that’s to a soup pot or a friendly farmers, your toddlers safety>your rooster. You’ve already established that he’ll be going, so that’s great, I just always have to throw that out there.

ive raised my roosters with my hens And like my hens. They’re handled equally as much as my hens are as chicks, so they’re handled if they act off or if I wanted to touch the chickies (I try to handle them at least once a day, but usually fall short to about once a week)

I had an aggressive rooster, Henry VIII II. He would run up behind everyone and spur the crap out of your legs. I learned the secret technique of snatching the roo out of midair, tried holding him down, holding him upside down, carrying him around, etc. etc. but he still attacked daily. to curb this issue, I took after Roosevelt and carried around a big stick. If he spurred me, I whacked him. Eventually, he started keeping his distance, and i started leaving the stick. Seeing his opportunity, he came along and spurred me all the way up and down the legs. That’s when I started chasing him if he came at me the wrong way, and if he spurred me, I’d kick him. Some days he would run at me, get punted four feet away, turn around and repeat. eventually he stopped coming at me the wrong way.... he still attacked my family at any chance, but not me. (they said I was cruel to him, so I left them on their own to deal with it. I fixed my problem, not theirs & I don’t suggest you, OP, do this because your rooster is aggressive towards a toddler, not adults.) eventually, with my spring pullets, I found myself with another rooster. It became my job to cull the little guy, so of course I didn’t one morning, my mom let the chickens out and found Henry VIII II dead on the floor. So the little rooster that almost wasn’t became Henry VIII III. He hasn’t really been handled since he was a chick. He’s never flapped his wings at me, never crowed in my vicinity, and has never even snuck up on anyone, let alone attacked them.

I didn’t do much different between the two henrys, but the difference between their behavior is drastic.

 

[lomine]

I don't think keeping a lone goose is very kind to the goose. They form very strong pair bonds. They aren't going to be able to hold off a hawk or fox so I don't see the point of keeping them without their own kind just to be a warning system.

A rooster's job is to look out for predators and give out a warning if he spots anything. That gives the hens time to find shelter. Some roosters may confront predators but they don't really stand a better chance then any hen. If your sole purpose is to protect the flock, you are better off with fencing.

My guess is that your current rooster is actually an Easter Egger, their temperament seems to be a bit hit or miss. True Ameracaunas are often docile. I have a Blue Am and he has always been very easy going. That being said, even a bird from a breed know to be docile can be nothing like the breed description and a total pain.

The only rooster/cockerel I have ever had be aggressive toward me or any person was a Silkie. He liked to go after my shoes. He was the only one I had ever "cuddled" as a chick. I am normally hands off with my birds but those Silkies were hard to resist. After a few shoe bumps the Silkie learned I wasn't a threat and he no longer goes after my shoes. All my chickens learn to move away from me when I walk through them and give me a respectable amount of space. I can hold them if I need to but I don't normally do it just for fun. I don't believe roosters/cockerels should be coddled but that's my personal opinion.

If you decide to try again, I suggest raising the chicks with your existing flock. I like to brood right in the coop (of course the chicks have a safe place). Chicks aren't often seen as a threat so often times older birds don't bother them. I've had good luck with my flock. A bonus to this is that cockerels raised with older hens often have better matters. The hens will teach him how to act before he gets bigger then them. I'm sure you've heard the term "Hen Pecked." This is were that comes from.

 

[igorsMistress]

The reason you get so many different answers is because every rooster and situation is different. It was my experience that the hens will take care of each other if there's no rooster. Often one is the boss and the others follow her lead. You don't really need a rooster or a goose, and geese can be mean. If you want to make sure your toddler won't get hurt, rehome the rooster or eat him and don't replace him. Otherwise you'll have to try different things and see what works for you and your flock. This could mean you have to try several times, or that the next one is exactly what you want.

 

[Mrs. K]

Roosters are a crap shoot, and roosters and toddlers generally don't work well together especially if they are sharing the same space.

When people come here, what we all have in common is chickens, but how we keep them is WIDELY different. If you are truly a backyard keeper, where as your children and chickens are in the same place, I would not recommend having a rooster until your youngest child is about 6. Children are at an ideal height to take and attack in the face.

Personally, I think you get the worst roosters when they are raised with flock mates. Roosters out grow and become sexually active much sooner than pullets. They become bullies because there are no older birds that thump manners into them.

Not all roosters are great roosters, you want one that is alert, good to the ladies, and good to you and yours. So... I would build a run for your birds protection, and later add the rooster when you have a bit more experience, and your children are a bit bigger.

Mrs K

 

[Chickassan]

You've already been told they're all individuals and it is a true statement if there ever was one.
If you do decide on trying raising one in your flock is a very good idea especially if you have a few adult hens already to dole out discipline.
You can also choose a more docile "normally" kid freindly breed, I always push Faverolles.
Nothing is 100% but I can say iv'e never seen a Faverolles rooster attack anybody ....food yes, kids no.
The kid is also a factor, being loud or chicken chasing might bring out unsavory behavior in any rooster.
Oh and FYI....geese bite really hard, and twist at the end.
Person who suggested that is a bit evil lol!

 

[JessOlson0830]

You've already been told they're all individuals and it is a true statement if there ever was one.
If you do decide on trying raising one in your flock is a very good idea especially if you have a few adult hens already to dole out discipline.
You can also choose a more docile "normally" kid freindly breed, I always push Faverolles.
Nothing is 100% but I can say iv'e never seen a Faverolles rooster attack anybody ....food yes, kids no.
The kid is also a factor, being loud or chicken chasing might bring out unsavory behavior in any rooster.
Oh and FYI....geese bite really hard, and twist at the end.
Person who suggested that is a bit evil lol!

A Faverolles is what I’ve been leaning towards! Thank you for your input!

 

[Clearwater Chicken]

Sticks are great relievers of chicken attacks. we had an aggressive rooster and after about 5 whacks with a stick he got the idea

 

[JessOlson0830]

Thank you all so much for your help! I love the idea of brooding in the coop so the older ladies can keep everyone in line. That’s a genius idea!

 

[JessOlson0830]

Sticks are great relievers of chicken attacks. we had an aggressive rooster and after about 5 whacks with a stick he got the idea

he’s met the broom once or twice now