Vote - to cull or not to cull

[triciayoung]

Do not cull. This group is very fast to cull roosters. Roosters are chickens also, and culling should be the last resort and frankly, I don't think it ever needs to be done unless a rooster is suffering with pain. Roosters are way more complex than hens and have so much more to be responsible for. Roosters react when they are scared. They are responsible for so much, to protect, to feed to lead, and to mate. Yet, some want to cull them for doing their jobs - some roosters are immature and need some love training. Try this method. It has worked for many BYC members. Don't try any of the pin them down methods.

https://www.thefeatherbrain.com/blog/taming-aggressive-roosters

 

[McChooky]

When you have roosters you can't trust around children the solution is making soup! They're necessary only when you want to raise chicks and free range your chickens.

 

[Kiki]

Do not cull. This group is very fast to cull roosters. Roosters are chickens also, and culling should be the last resort and frankly, I don't think it ever needs to be done unless a rooster is suffering with pain. Roosters are way more complex than hens and have so much more to be responsible for. Roosters react when they are scared. They are responsible for so much, to protect, to feed to lead, and to mate. Yet, some want to cull them for doing their jobs - some roosters are immature and need some love training. Try this method. It has worked for many BYC members. Don't try any of the pin them down methods.

https://www.thefeatherbrain.com/blog/taming-aggressive-roosters

Do you have small children?

 

[Mamalana]

Do not cull. This group is very fast to cull roosters. Roosters are chickens also, and culling should be the last resort and frankly, I don't think it ever needs to be done unless a rooster is suffering with pain. Roosters are way more complex than hens and have so much more to be responsible for. Roosters react when they are scared. They are responsible for so much, to protect, to feed to lead, and to mate. Yet, some want to cull them for doing their jobs - maybe some are immature about it and need so love training. Try this method. It has worked for many BYC members. Don't try any of the pin them down methods.

https://www.thefeatherbrain.com/blog/taming-aggressive-roosters

I am afraid the reason he is going after the children is because they "loved" him so much when he was a chick. As you may know being loved by a 4, 5, 7 and 13 year old with special needs means being chased, caught, and held often. I read that article, and although it sounds promising, how do we do that with the young children? They are afraid to go outside alone at this point, even when Moonlight is no where to be seen.

 

[triciayoung]

When you have roosters you can't trust around children the solution is making soup! They're necessary only when you want to raise chicks and free range your chickens.

I respect what you are saying but this makes us no better than factory farms. Just because they need more work for you to trust them and them to trust you- doesn't mean we take the easy way out and cull. Still, it is your choice.

 

[triciayoung]

I am afraid the reason he is going after the children is because they "loved" him so much when he was a chick. As you may know being loved by a 4, 5, 7 and 13 year old with special needs means being chased, caught, and held often. I read that article, and although it sounds promising, how do we do that with the young children? They are afraid to go outside alone at this point, even when Moonlight is no where to be seen.

I think that if everyone goes through the training in the family, the children will learn so much more about the rooster(s) and their roles.

 

[triciayoung]

Do you have small children?

I have a 6-year granddaughter here often. I do not allow her around any of the roosters. Even if a rooster is really nice - instinct and his "rooster job" can kick in and someone can get hurt. But guess what - it is the same for dogs. No matter how long you have had a dog and let's say the dog has never been aggressive, the dog still has the capability of being aggressive if the right trigger is pushed.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Cull him and do NOT let him out with the kids until you do. I'm not one to say "cull" so fast. I have 3 Roosters and I also have grandbabies here on a daily basis.
You started off wrong by all the handling.

 

[Tonyroo]

To me it should be based on necessity to keep or cull.

I get cockerels from my hatches most of the time but I never rehome them knowing how difficult the process can be. I also never had an aggressive cockerel so I don't know what it's like to live in fear of them. But they all get culled eventually.

So the best answer is to cull him. If you don't have the time and space to manage his behavior which might just be from being adolescent at his age.

 

[triciayoung]

To me it should be based on necessity to keep or cull.

I get cockerels from my hatches most of the time but I never rehome them knowing how difficult the process can be. I also never had an aggressive cockerel so I don't know what it's like to live in fear of them. But they all get culled eventually.

So the best answer is to cull him. If you don't have the time and space to manage his behavior which might just be from being adolescent at his age.

Yes, but they need to know that they are culling him because of their circumstances and availability of time