Topic of the Week - Aggressive Roosters: What is the best way to handle them?

[newhamplover]

Ok, this is like the fourth or fifth time I have read not good to anthropomorphize. Attribute human emotions or logic to animals. I did a paper in college on this word, over 20 years ago. Since then, there are numerous studies prooving that is not exactly true. I will not start giving examples, because of the abundance. I am sure we can just look at elephants and agree, aye?
And while I am expressing my views on a word study, lets talk about using the term "rape" only as it applies to humans. Again, just one.
Dolphins, who can recognize themselves in a mirror, reported to save drowning humans. Young bachelors will group together, maybe three or so, and ABDUCT s female for sexual use. Against her will. Dont let her leave. Is that called "abduction, kidnapping, or rape?" Dolphins are one of the few species like us who have sex for pleasure.

Everyone has the right to see things however they wish to see it. But my own personal view is I don't like to see the word rape associated to animals. That is a human word. Breeding is what goes on in a flock, a herd, or any other group of animals. It is a natural, normal action. They breed, in whatever way they do for the survival of the species. Are young, inexperienced roos a little wild at this time, yes they can be. But as the gain maturity it is different. My breed does not lay year round. When they go into molt they quit laying & the protein goes into making new feathers. Does Harry even attempt to breed them during all this time...absolutely not. He knows they are not in lay. I have 2 young pullets that are 5 months & are not in lay yet, does he try to breed them, absolutely not. In fact now that the young roos have went to their new homes he comes back out of the chicken house every night to wait for them to go up. He didn't do that when the young roos were here but now he is their protector. I personally don't equate normal animal mating to a human act.

 

[centrarchid]

Everyone has the right to see things however they wish to see it.  But my own personal view is I don't like to see the word rape associated to animals.  That is a human word.  Breeding is what goes on in a flock, a herd, or any other group of animals.  It is a natural, normal action.  They breed, in whatever way they do  for the survival of the species.  Are young, inexperienced roos a little wild at this time, yes they can be.  But as the gain maturity it is different.  My breed does not lay year round.  When they go into molt they quit laying & the protein goes into making new feathers.  Does Harry even attempt to breed them during all this time...absolutely not.  He knows they are not in lay.  I have 2 young pullets that are 5 months & are not in lay yet, does he try to breed them, absolutely not.  In fact now that the young roos have went to their new homes he comes back out of the chicken house every night to wait for them to go up.  He didn't do that when the young roos were here but now he is their protector.  I personally don't equate normal animal mating to a human act.

I would say one engages in an act to benefit self at the expense of another. The female in this setting might to better to have another male sire her offspring. Mate to female looses out as well because first he thus produces fewer offspring and may even be duped into investing in offspring not his later. It not necessarily what benefits the species.

 

[newhamplover]

I would say one engages in an act to benefit self at the expense of another. The female in this setting might to better to have another male sire her offspring. Mate to female looses out as well because first he thus produces fewer offspring and may even be duped into investing in offspring not his later. It not necessarily what benefits the species.

I would say that in animals they are doing what is hard wired in the DNA. In the wild different species have different choices. They can & do pick their mates. But in closed breeding situations that is not the case. That is how selective breeding works. It is man creating, developing, & maintaining the breed. It is through all of this selective breeding, done by man, that all of the different breeds are created. If someone doesn't want their hens to be bred by a roo not of the hens selection then there is an easy remedy....don't have roos.

 

[Cari C]

KDOGG, or do I call you Kelsey? I am just so new here and don't want to offend or give the wrong impression. Facebook makes you wonder how people will react and although I am normally tough, it wears you down. I just wanted to be sure anyone jumping in knew my back story, I never doubted your intentions.

Thank you for the compliment on my roo! I have had chickens that lived on a ranch I was overseeing for someone, but these are my first all my own from start to finish and I feel like an idiot. I have been working with animals all my life as a vet tech, rescue, groomer, trainer, foster mom, etc, et al. I worked with exotic birds for years too, so you would think I had nerves of steel, but you just end up with really fast reflexes!!! Anyhow, I am going to keep you posted. I have never paid this much attention to how a rooster interacts with everything and he really is so good to his girls, so I am determined. We have coyotes, hawks, owls, you name it and I know he looks out for them. Anynhow, quick sneak on at work, I need to run. Will update later! THANK YOU ALL!!!

 

[ShrekDawg]

Sorry, just noticed i said talking to him offering threats, I meant TREATS, definitely don't threaten him LOL

 

[centrarchid]

I would say that in animals they are doing what is hard wired in the DNA. In the wild different species have different choices. They can & do pick their mates.  But in closed breeding situations that is not the case.  That is how selective breeding works.  It is man creating, developing, & maintaining the breed.  It is through all of this selective breeding, done by man, that all of the different breeds are created.  If someone doesn't want their hens to be bred by a roo not of the hens selection then there is an easy remedy....don't have roos.   

These behaviors do occur in wild bird populations, including chickens. Not all we see is an artifact of the culture setting. It does occur more frequently and is easier to see in a culture setting.


Take time to watch swallows and wild ducks as clutches are being set.

 

[ShrekDawg]

KDOGG, or do I call you Kelsey? I am just so new here and don't want to offend or give the wrong impression. Facebook makes you wonder how people will react and although I am normally tough, it wears you down. I just wanted to be sure anyone jumping in knew my back story, I never doubted your intentions.    Thank you for the compliment on my roo! I have had chickens that lived on a ranch I was overseeing for someone, but these are my first all my own from start to finish and I feel like an idiot. I have been working with animals all my life as a vet tech, rescue, groomer, trainer, foster mom, etc, et al. I worked with exotic birds for years too, so you would think I had nerves of steel, but you just end up with really fast reflexes!!! Anyhow, I am going to keep you posted. I have never paid this much attention to how a rooster interacts with everything and he really is so good to his girls, so I am determined. We have coyotes, hawks, owls, you name it and I know he looks out for them. Anynhow, quick sneak on at work, I need to run. Will update later! THANK YOU ALL!!!

You can call me whatever you want or is easier, I don't mind either way and it's okay! I can certainly understand that, some people on Facebook are just plain crazy! Haha generally the people here are pretty nice so no worries, though occasionally someone may come off as a bit rough but they usually only have good intentions

You're welcome! He sure is a handsome fellow. And don't worry, you're not an idiot! Everyone was or is new once, i just got my first chickens in October. All good. And besides, you're asking great questions and trying to learn plus seem determined to help this fellow so he can stay, perhaps because of your background, which is wonderful. A lot of people would just give up on him and rehome or cull, or resort to harsher methods.

He sounds like a wonderful rooster and definitely one worth trying to rehab and keep around. I think at this point he is young and maybe testing his boundaries rather than fully aggressive yet so that might help too and hopefully with boundaries established he won't try to challenge anymore.

Definitely do keep us updated!

 

[newhamplover]

These behaviors do occur in wild bird populations, including chickens. Not all we see is an artifact of the culture setting. It does occur more frequently and is easier to see in a culture setting.


Take time to watch swallows and wild ducks as clutches are being set.

I have spent a lifetime observing animals & nature. Again one cannot equate nature in the wild to man created, selective breeding. When man chooses the male & female of any species to breed to continue that breed, hopefully better the breed, their dedication to that breed in my book that is not "rape". When man chooses what horses to breed, what dogs to breed, what cattle, hogs, etc. the male animal is not raping the female. I hold good breeders, many of whom have spent their lifetimes, trying to perfect a breed & keep it for others to enjoy in the highest esteem.

 

[centrarchid]

I have spent a lifetime observing animals & nature.  Again one cannot equate nature in the wild to man created, selective breeding.  When man chooses the male & female of any species to breed to continue that breed, hopefully better the breed, their dedication to that breed in my book that is not "rape".  When man chooses what horses to breed, what dogs to breed, what cattle, hogs, etc. the male animal is not raping the female.  I hold good breeders, many of whom have spent their lifetimes, trying to perfect a breed & keep it for others to enjoy in the highest esteem.  

The female in the arrangement may not agree with the breeder on the male selected. I see this frequently as a breeder. The female protests and will engage in behavior increasing odds a desirable male will come to her aid. Desirable male would be her harem master.

 

[newhamplover]

The female in the arrangement may not agree with the breeder on the male selected. I see this frequently as a breeder. The female protests and will engage in behavior increasing odds a desirable male will come to her aid. Desirable male would be her harem master.

I really see no need to continue this line between us. We obviously see the world from very different places.