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- #21
Update: Olaf was culled today.
I feel very guilty about it and when I knew it was happening (my uncle did the deed) I actually felt ill... it sounds silly but he was good with people and it's upsetting to bring about death.
Whilst he hadn't wounded anymore hens, his behaviour was deteriorating and he was often aggressive with them, a recent development. Most of the time he would be fine but sometimes he would just whack one for no apparent reason or about food, although they now have multiple feeders with free access all day. Recently I saw him mount a hen and then peck her repeatedly in the back of the head, not to hold her as they sometimes do but just pecking at her and she was obviously distressed.
He was highly-sexed (as they often are I guess) but that combined with poor foot conformation and random bouts of aggression was very hard on the hens and their welfare had to be considered. They often showed signs of being afraid or wary of him. There are so many roosters around here in need of homes and it would not have been responsible to rehome one with such behaviour and I felt it unfair to keep him separate.
I'm just venting really as feeling bad about it. He was with us for around 2.5 years after jumping over the fence from next door... he always had lots of space to roam, 15+ hens for company, plenty of good food and water, a spacious coop and was treated with kindness (and had a good end). I guess can do no more.
Sorry Olaf!
I feel very guilty about it and when I knew it was happening (my uncle did the deed) I actually felt ill... it sounds silly but he was good with people and it's upsetting to bring about death.
Whilst he hadn't wounded anymore hens, his behaviour was deteriorating and he was often aggressive with them, a recent development. Most of the time he would be fine but sometimes he would just whack one for no apparent reason or about food, although they now have multiple feeders with free access all day. Recently I saw him mount a hen and then peck her repeatedly in the back of the head, not to hold her as they sometimes do but just pecking at her and she was obviously distressed.
He was highly-sexed (as they often are I guess) but that combined with poor foot conformation and random bouts of aggression was very hard on the hens and their welfare had to be considered. They often showed signs of being afraid or wary of him. There are so many roosters around here in need of homes and it would not have been responsible to rehome one with such behaviour and I felt it unfair to keep him separate.
I'm just venting really as feeling bad about it. He was with us for around 2.5 years after jumping over the fence from next door... he always had lots of space to roam, 15+ hens for company, plenty of good food and water, a spacious coop and was treated with kindness (and had a good end). I guess can do no more.
Sorry Olaf!