Does my rooster need to go?

rabekah1734 · Sunday at 8:31 AM

Hey there,

I’ve got a 7-month old EE rooster who is becoming a bit of an issue and I’m not sure what to do. He was a ‘surprise’ but I’ve kept him so far as he was good at keeping an eye on the 6 hens when they were free-ranging. But he isn’t really ‘needed’ for protection as they only free-range for about 30 min a day when I’m out there.

However… he is quite rough when he mates, and I’ve had to buy a few chicken saddles to cover up some bald spots on the hens. He is also getting (increasingly??) aggressive towards me, flying at me and biting me half the time when I touch the food and water or pickup a hen. I’ve raised him since he was a chick, and I’ve tried to pick him up and carry him now that he’s older to show my dominance. He won’t take treats from me either.

But it doesn’t seem to be helping. I’m unsure if I should wait it out to see if his behavior changes and mellows as he gets older, or if I should call it and rehome or cull him.

Thanks in advance!

sourland · Sunday at 8:33 AM

If he was in my flock, he would have to go. That becomes doubly necessary if kids are present. Our birds should be a joy - not an aggravation. Good luck.

3KillerBs · Sunday at 8:39 AM

rabekah1734 said:
He is also getting (increasingly??) aggressive towards me, flying at me and biting me half the time when I touch the food and water or pickup a hen.

If he were mine he'd be introduced to the calming experience of taking a long, hot, herbal bath.

I wouldn't rehome a known-aggressive cockerel or rooster unless I knew he was going for slaughter. I wouldn't want to be responsible for him injuring someone -- especially a child.

igorsMistress · Sunday at 8:46 AM

I don’t think carrying a rooster around is showing dominance, it’s just carrying a chicken around. In his mind those girls are his and he’s taking care of them. You’re picking up HIS hen and taking food/water that they need. He’s doing what comes naturally. You’re competition to him. If you don’t want fertile eggs to hatch then probably he should go.

You might try not picking him or the hens up and tossing treats at his feet so he can call his girls over for a snack. That’s his job. If you take his job then you leave him with nothing.

Also, cockerels and pullets often need time to figure out the mating process. He may be a little rough now but he’s probably get the hang of it in time.

DonyaQuick · Sunday at 8:52 AM

rabekah1734 said:
I’ve tried to pick him up and carry him now that he’s older to show my dominance. He won’t take treats from me either.

How does he react to being carried? If he's chill about it as soon as you pick him up and you're not having to actively restrain him from escaping, then he probably enjoys going for a ride up high and it's not doing anything to correct his behavior. Pushing him down to the ground might work better, but you need to do it right away when he does something out of line (and your hand or arm might get pecked/bitten if he's nimble; dress accordingly).

Mrs. K · Sunday at 10:24 AM

A lot depends on your set up, and who visits your chickens. As mentioned above, if small children under the age of 6, he needs to go ASAP.

Many people have posted about training a roosters, but truthfully - often times it does not work. You have been trying with no results, other than the aggression is getting worse.

The first cull is very hard, we know that. People that keep pets, like animals, it is part of their identity. You know that you have given this animal a fair shot, there is not reason for you to be attacked.

Cull the bird, eat him or plant a rose bush. Afterwards, you will wonder why you waited so long. The secret to getting a great rooster is not to put up with a rotten rooster.

Mrs K

rabekah1734 · Sunday at 11:00 AM

These have all been so helpful, thank you everyone! Good to get advice from people who have been here before.

rabekah1734 · Sunday at 11:03 AM

DonyaQuick said:
How does he react to being carried? If he's chill about it as soon as you pick him up and you're not having to actively restrain him from escaping, then he probably enjoys going for a ride up high and it's not doing anything to correct his behavior. Pushing him down to the ground might work better, but you need to do it right away when he does something out of line (and your hand or arm might get pecked/bitten if he's nimble; dress accordingly).

Yeah, he’s honestly pretty mellow once he’s in my arms, so that makes sense.

50-45-1 · Tuesday at 11:30 AM

Picking him up and cuddling him since he was a chick is exactly why now he has no fear of you, and feels comfortable attacking humans
It's like the "Do Not feed the Bears" sign in Yellowstone. Once those critters loose that fear of humans, the trouble begins.
The next rooster you get, do not do this.
Show no fear.. walk through him (making him move to the side) not timidly around him.
I hand feed and pick up any hen I want to.
My rooster probably thinks I dont like him... i only touch him after dark with a flashlight for spur trimming and health checks. These encounters are not pleasant or comfortable for him and he fears me. Because of this....I am able to keep my beautiful, good, well behaved rooster on the farm.
Remember...these creatures are dinosaurs, and the male of the species have testosterone hormones and can become monsters.
Good Luck!

Folly's place · Tuesday at 9:23 PM

Cockerels can be raised different ways, and turn out fine, or not. I'm in the 'don't make pets of them' camp, and have zero tolerance for roosters showing human aggression. I want the roosters to pay attention to their flock, and avoid me, and respect my space. What I wear, or if I'm handling flock members, is my business, not his.
I used to try to 'reform' cockerels who decided to go for me, and it never worked out well. Now, zero tolerance and a peaceful flock.
Mary

Does my rooster need to go?

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