I have two roosters, Squeak and his son Pip. Squeak often attacks me, but he's doing it less now. Pip never gives me any trouble. However, neither of them like strangers and will bite people they don't know. Well, here's the problem. My family is going on vacation for Thanksgiving. We're leaving the day after tomorrow and won't be back until... Monday, I think? That leaves no one to take care of our chickens. Normally our friends down the street do it, but I don't think they will this year because my roosters have attacked them. So here's the question. What do I do with my roosters? I suppose I should separate them while my family's away, but I don't know if I can. Any suggestions? Oh, and two more things. Firstly, I'm not eating them. Secondly, I'm sorry if I put this topic in the wrong place.
Need details of the set up please. Are they free range? Do you have a pen with coop? How does your pop door open? If so is there any way you can make it so that someone can open and close the door from outside of the chicken run? If you can pen them up with a coop for sleeping in and you can make it so that the tender can open and close it from outside no problem. The tender could then close the door while the roos are out of the coop and be able to add water/food. If there is no way to rig the door perhaps hanging the food in the corner of the run and doing an open tray for water would keep everyone safe.
Can you cage them in a dog crate while you are gone? My dog crates have a slot at the bottom that can be used to slide the floor pan in and out. You could theoretically remove the pan and slide pie tins of feed and water through them to feed the birds while also remaining out of their reach. Could that work for you? I feel your pain. Last spring I left to go on vacation and my rooster attacked my house sitter daily. He was relentless according to the sitter. It was not a good situation. My rooster was removed shortly thereafter. I couldn't have a bad animal messing up my house sitter. Good house sitters are hard to find, while bad roosters are a dime a dozen. Good luck. I hope you enjoy your trip.
I've had aggressive roosters before and I always just tell ppl to step inside the coop really fast and put a trash-can lid over the door to the run. If that doesn't work I tell them just to bring a big rake or snow-shovel. Roosters are really fraidy cats, and can't hurt anyone w/ something that big to defend themselves. I've had a little 9 year old take care of my chickens for me and she did just find with those methods. If that doesn't seem good to you could you try removing them to a smaller coop you have? Enjoy your vacation! HHyacintheT
Thanks for the suggestions! The chickens, because of our broken fences and hens that are determined to escape, must stay inside their coop while we're away. I came up with an idea, thanks to farmergirl96. I'll leave a note along with the instructions of chicken care, telling our friends to carry a small Wal-mart bag or something with them. That should keep Squeak away, anyways. xD Okay, thank you!
