pet rooster spurring kids

[RoyalHillsLLC]

I have a black/white bantam rooster cross that is very friendly, easily handled, and easy to catch and hold. My daughters can catch him when out in the yard and return him to the pen whenever they want.
One problem though. My 7YO daughter bacame a little scared of him and he seemed to sense it. he went through a phase where he would attack her and spur her for no known reason. Never really hurt her, just scratched her and scared her to death. really ruined her "poultry experience".
Now that we have been working hard to get her back to the point she isn't scared and can enjoy them, the rooster chased down our 5YO and attacked her, spurring her for no apparent reason. She was very close to him, holding him often and petting him. She walked into the pen, a 15 x 30 fully enclosed wire pen, while he was 20 feet or so away outside hunting bugs. Something got his attention and he turned and charged her. What's up? I let all three of my girls play with them all the time, especially our 1 YO that loves to play with the Muscovies. Should I worry now? Will he eventually hurt one of them? I got rid of all my other roosters in favor of him since he was the best pet.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Some Roosters can and will become aggressive and then its time to go when it comes to spurring children...he will keep this up and hurt your children.......Doesn't matter how much you have treated him as a pet, some just naturally become meaner than others...

 

[Southern28Chick]

Remove his spurs!!! He could still peck and scratch with his nails though.

 

[RoyalHillsLLC]

The nails are just as bad. I am so disappointed, the girls were so close to him. I kind of like having a roo to look after all the girls. If he does it again I may have to go roo-less. Wonder if my Muscovie Drake will look after them as well as he does?

 

[PeiTheCelt]

That for me is the final straw for our rooster, thankfully Shiva seems pretty comfortable with the fact that I'm top roo, he's not a fan of me, but he knows I rule the roost, and I don't let my daughter out near the chickens without myself or my husband nearby, but.. the day he hurts my daughter where she hasn't done something to deserve it (i.e. it's not a learning experience she brought on herself, and he's just being aggressive)?

Fresh chicken dinner!

Roosters can be replaced, a lot easier than kids.

(I know that's sort of harsh, BUT... If a dog or cat bit my daughter unprovoked, there would never be a question.. It's no different for a chicken.. )

 

[MissPrissy]

As roosters age they do develop an agrressive side. It is their job to protect the flock.

Think of it this way - even though the rooster is small, wouldn't matter if he were large either, would you let your small children out with full grown bulls or stallions or a fully grown male hog?

Small doesn't mean tame or docile.

Roosters are feirce. You can't teach him to be nice to your children. They are living on pre-programed instinct.

Lock him up or get rid of him is the only solutions I see to protecting your children. It is a shame to let this continue and to make your children have a bad experience of raising poultry.

A rooster who is aggressive to any of us human caregivers doesn't have a home in my coop.

I do agree with Southern that you can remove his spurs but remember they do grow back.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Removing a roosters spurs is not as easy as it sounds...they can bleed to death if not done correctly or become infected...you can't take the whole spur and they do grow back......Just read up on this if you decide thats what you want to do....

 

[Chellester]

Here's my cure:

1. Get a boot

2. Put it on

3. Apply to rooster's rear end as needed

 

[RoyalHillsLLC]

Chellester, been there, done that. The first time I caught him attacking my oldest he just wouldn't quit -when I hollered at her from across the yard to kick him as hard as she could. By the time I got there I kicked and accidentally hit him in the head (honestly "daddy instinct" kicked in and I didn't aim). I thought he was dead then, but it just knocked him out cold for a while and then he got up kind of drunk and was fine an hour later. I thought maybe he learned his lesson because that was a few weeks ago. I guess I have to ask my wife and kids if they want to get rid of him. If I knew what kind of damage he could do other than scratches I wouldn't give them a choice. He just seems to attack their legs.

 

[Southern28Chick]

You can remove the spurs with a hot potato. I can't find the old thread that talked about this. I've never had to do it so I'm no expert.