McChooky
Free Ranging
I agree wholeheartedly!A rooster shouldn't be around small children.Now, when they are being darling, this seems like an impossible decision or choice. Later, If they are attacking your pullets, each other or your darling 3 year old child - this becomes a different decision.
A couple of things to know about cockerels:
With the darling 3 year old child living with you, I would strongly encourage removal of all of the rooster chicks ASAP. A child under the age of 6, lacks height, and will often take an attack in the face. Especially if the chickens and child share a play area. Quick movement, and loud noises are often exciting to rooster/cockerels and can precipitate an attack.
- being raised together has little influence on behavior
- they don't call it cock fighting for nothing
- getting along today or being friendly or being nice -is no prediction for tomorrow
- always have a way set up and ready to use to separate birds - cages and a fish net are good ideas.
- they need MORE SPACE than hens
- many people vastly underestimate the violence of
- roosters fighting roosters
- cockerels harassing pullets
- roosters and cockerels attacking people
- they tend to attack children first, then women, then men.
- children will take the attack in the face or head
- this website is full of where the darling becomes the nightmare in what seems to be an instant. Many inexperienced people do not pick up on the cues that a rooster is becoming aggressive until the attack.
- they have a very small brain - largely driven by hormones
- More hens is not a real solution to a poorly behaved rooster
- IMO - rooster chicks raised with just pullets instead of in a multi-generational flock have a greater chance in being mean and aggressive.
- What appears to be friendly and loving behavior in a cockerel, is a lack of fear, which means a lack of respect. As these chicks get bigger, they often times become aggressive.
Roosters have ruined the whole chicken experience for a lot of children. I do not recommend ANY roosters for families with children under the age of 6. An all hen flock is nice to start with. You have years to do this hobby together, wait until they are a little older. I would not even recommend keeping them until they are big enough to butcher if this is your first time with rooster chicks, people don't pick up on the cues soon enough without experience.
Mrs K
