One of the most controversial topics of poultry in and of itself: Roosters. Many people have argued that they have the tamest roosters ever and that they have never looked once at hurting a human, while others will argue that their rooster seriously injured someone! Yes there are mean roosters that will make a nuisance out of themselves, and yes their are incredibly courteous roosters that will protect those girls with their lives! So here's the question: What kind of Rooster do your hens need?
A flock needs a rooster that will protect them from predators, and make sure their fed. An even better rooster will tidbit for the ladies, protect the chicks, and be gentle when mating. I own several roosters and all are generally docile except for the fact that a couple of the ladies get relentlessly mated and don't have many wing feathers left as the end result. So here are some general problems and some ways to fix them. I hope that this helps you find a good rooster for your flock!
Problem 1: Aggressive Mating
Aggressive mating can happen and it is a mild problem but can still put a lot of stress on the girls. Especially if they're show birds and you don't have time for them to grow new feathers! Ideally you should isolate the rooster if you don't want to get rid of it. It will also help to remove the spurs and cut toenails if you have no way of isolating the bird. Here are a couple links to help with trimming nails and spurs.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/rooster-spurs-everything-you-need-to-know.77577/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/trimming-your-chickens-nails-tutorial.64401/
Some hens have less feather loss than others so you may not have as much of an issue with aggressive mating.
Problem 2: Roosters are constantly fighting
It's natural for Roosters to want to rule the flock and will thus fight each other until one submits. Usually one or the other will submit. Rarely, but I'm not saying it doesn't happen, a rooster will be unusually nasty and aggressive. In this case it may be the best option for it to be put down. Unless you have a safe place for this rooster to go. But usually people just get rid of their roosters by letting them go. Unfortunately this is why there are so many un-homed roosters. If you have the space to isolate the rooster that would be ideal because putting down a rooster is never pleasant.
Problem 3: Attacking humans
This seems to be the most consistent problem, and it makes sense because we are humans they are chickens. Therefore we act differently, and chickens not having the brain capacity to understand that we act differently could cause a rooster to feel insulted and thus attack or challenge. For example: you pick up a hen, and that hen happens to be a favorite of your roosters. He might see that as someone challenging his authority or stealing his hens. There are more examples but that is a good one. A good rooster will protect these hens from other roosters, and predators. Here is a link with some good information on this particular problem as well as in general problems:
AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR BY THE MALE CHICKEN DIRECTED AT HUMANS: MAN-FIGHTING
Sorry guys. Accidentally published this! Still in a draft.
A flock needs a rooster that will protect them from predators, and make sure their fed. An even better rooster will tidbit for the ladies, protect the chicks, and be gentle when mating. I own several roosters and all are generally docile except for the fact that a couple of the ladies get relentlessly mated and don't have many wing feathers left as the end result. So here are some general problems and some ways to fix them. I hope that this helps you find a good rooster for your flock!
Problem 1: Aggressive Mating
Aggressive mating can happen and it is a mild problem but can still put a lot of stress on the girls. Especially if they're show birds and you don't have time for them to grow new feathers! Ideally you should isolate the rooster if you don't want to get rid of it. It will also help to remove the spurs and cut toenails if you have no way of isolating the bird. Here are a couple links to help with trimming nails and spurs.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/rooster-spurs-everything-you-need-to-know.77577/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/trimming-your-chickens-nails-tutorial.64401/
Some hens have less feather loss than others so you may not have as much of an issue with aggressive mating.
Problem 2: Roosters are constantly fighting
It's natural for Roosters to want to rule the flock and will thus fight each other until one submits. Usually one or the other will submit. Rarely, but I'm not saying it doesn't happen, a rooster will be unusually nasty and aggressive. In this case it may be the best option for it to be put down. Unless you have a safe place for this rooster to go. But usually people just get rid of their roosters by letting them go. Unfortunately this is why there are so many un-homed roosters. If you have the space to isolate the rooster that would be ideal because putting down a rooster is never pleasant.
Problem 3: Attacking humans
This seems to be the most consistent problem, and it makes sense because we are humans they are chickens. Therefore we act differently, and chickens not having the brain capacity to understand that we act differently could cause a rooster to feel insulted and thus attack or challenge. For example: you pick up a hen, and that hen happens to be a favorite of your roosters. He might see that as someone challenging his authority or stealing his hens. There are more examples but that is a good one. A good rooster will protect these hens from other roosters, and predators. Here is a link with some good information on this particular problem as well as in general problems:
AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR BY THE MALE CHICKEN DIRECTED AT HUMANS: MAN-FIGHTING
Sorry guys. Accidentally published this! Still in a draft.
