All That and No Eggs | Chickens in the Road

May
16

Several times a day, I check the chicken house and around the yard for eggs.

Several times a day, I have to get past Mean Rooster.

Several times a day, he tries to kill me.

But I get my rooster stick, update my will, and keep going. (There’s just a small amount of screaming involved.)

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5-16
2:45
am

Most ominous cock-a-doodle-doooos EVER. The Jaws theme should be playing throughout.

Laurije

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5-16
3:35
am

Have you considered changing his name to “Dinner”?

Kathleen in Michigan

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5-16
3:58
am

I see something in my crystal ball. It’s becoming clear…. I can just barely make it out….here it is!… Here it is!…I can also detect an aroma……CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS!!!

shirley

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5-16
3:59
am

I’m so ashamed for you when I see you cower over a rooster. I’m surppised you didn’t trip walking backwards like that. In case you have failed to realize it, you are much bigger than the chicken. Go get him, pick him up and put him under your arm. Put his head under his wing. Dominate the rooster, don’t accommodate him. Everything you are doing reinforces his attack behavior–the cowering, the verbal reaction to his every peck, the continued retreat.

lola falana

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5-16
4:34
am

Yep, when my big Buff Orph rooster charged me I would pin him down with the leaf rake, pick him up and hang him upside down by his feet for a couple of seconds! Then I would carry him around in front of the hens to embarrass him a little bit. Now he hardly ever charges me until anymore.

lisa

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5-16
4:45
am

Notice the dog isn’t being bothered in the least by the rooster? Mean rooster is intimidating you because he can. You are letting him be the dominate one and that’s all the pea brain of a rooster can understand. His behavior is only going to get worse until he really hurts someone. If I lived closer I would come and butcher him for you. If you can’t bear to butcher him then the next best solution is to have a blanket party. When he is roosting at night go in and through a blanket over him then stuff him in a crate. Take him to the nearest animal auction, someone will take him off you hands. Please take care of this quick. He really will hurt someone if this continues. Culling animals for behavior problems is part of farming. Save your soft heart for an animal that can appreciate it. There are roosters that are not aggressive. You select for them by culling out the mean ones.

Sheila Z

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5-16
4:53
am

Suzanne, I agree. The thing is, you either have to get him to a new home, or get him to a new Home, if you get my drift.

Kathryn

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5-16
5:34
am

OMG. I hate chickens as it is. About the worst thing you can tell me is that something tastes like chicken. (I’m right fond of eggs though.)

Connie

Connie

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5-16
5:37
am

Well, he would definitely keep things interesting around a farm. But I would definitely show him who’s boss. Does he chase any of the other animals or is it only the egg stealer?

Fencepost

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5-16
5:40
am

Chicken and dumplings sound very good. In the meantime, put a garbage can over him while you scout for eggs. The only problem would be when you release him. Sort of like riding a tiger.

flutterby

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5-16
5:44
am

He only goes after me and Morgan. The girls. He doesn’t go after males. It probably is because they carry themselves differently–aren’t scared of him. We’re scared of him!

Suzanne McMinn

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5-16
5:45
am

Susanne, I grew up with mean roosters like that. I remember the neighbor kids circling their bikes in the street because the chicken would “get ‘em” if they came to the door. The UPS man and the Schwan’s Ice Cream man probably needed therapy. There was a flurry of ice cream and feathers on more than one ocassion.

Chris Griffith

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5-16
6:01
am

In all seriousness, ditch the stick and get a broom. Whack him with it, and he will get the message. If he doesn’t, then you really need to get rid of him.

Kathryn

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5-16
6:07
am

Many moons ago, when I was young — it was my job to gather the eggs from our chickens. We had one rooster who would dive bomb me from the top of the coop… every-stinking-day. I finally told my folks I wasn’t going to get eggs until he was gone. Roosters are replaceable… and he tasted mighty fine. I’m usually a live and let live gal (I even scoop up spiders and toss them outside), but even I have my limits. Good luck with YOUR mean rooster!

Marianne

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5-16
6:19
am

Perhaps the two of you should sit down and watch “COld Mountain” there is a scene involving a rooster that would be of great benefit to the both of you. In the mean time smack him with the stick!

Stacy

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5-16
6:19
am

Too funny you are afraid of that rooster. I would grab a broom, better yet a shovel and wack him out of the way. He will get the meassage after awhile. Nice he was crowing his victory over the human.

I do agree he would make for a fine chicken dinne and chicken soup, mabe even a chicken sandwich.

Diane

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5-16
6:31
am

If you can’t bear to either whack him or eat him, I recommend the use of a riot shield.

I’m such a scairdy cat about critters like this, and I would also be the one squealing. It stinks, being a girl.

Karen

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5-16
6:33
am

The part about updating your will made me laugh out loud!!! I would be scared too!!!

trish

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5-16
6:42
am

You are a better person than me. I would either knock him across the yard with that stick or I would fry his tiny hinny. I would be scared him too, have had more than my share of run ins with birds but I wouldn’t put up with him attacking everyday.

Dawn

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5-16
6:43
am

The fear of him attacking you is worse than what he can actually do (at this point). We have a rooster who tries to be like that, but we chase him around, catch him (with a net if necessary) and carry him around a bit. I have to just grit my teeth and make myself do it. But doing that usually helps. Put on jeans and boots and wear gloves and some eye protection, so you feel safe if he tries to peck. Our roo is worse the more roosters we have. But whatever you do, don’t wait to do something til he has big spurs. That can be dangerous.

Terri

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5-16
6:45
am

I know what Colonel Sanders would do with that rooster. I like my fried. :-)

Dave Castleman

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5-16
6:46
am

That rooster has your number! You need to become “Mean Suzanne” and then he will literally bow down before you while you enter the chicken house. I swear it’s true! We have one rooster (named Psycho) that still has my son buffalo’d, but he sure doesn’t mess with me. He doesn’t like being pinned to the ground and growled at, it seems. <—- JUST like this! Oh, and when you get up the nerve to go chicken fightin’, take some more video.

Angie

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5-16
6:49
am

NEVER show fear! I have the scars to prove it. I say, fry ‘em up. You’ll think he’s the tastiest chicken you’ve ever had. lol

Christine

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5-16
7:00
am

Suzanne, I can tell you for a fact that fresh rooster tastes fabulous when added to your Summer Vegetable Pie!

Miz Robyn

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5-16
7:04
am

Roosters ARE mean!

http://www.whatupduck.com

Kelly

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5-16
7:09
am

LOVE the video! Thanks for posting such a great one! Mr. Mean Rooster is so apparent in his crowing. He thinks he’s put you in your place. I like Lisa’s solution. I just don’t think I’d have the guts to pull it off! Me, I’d attach a big wire egg basket on the end on the Rooster Stick and capture him under it at the bottom of the stairs. That’d be the extent of my bravura.

More videos, please! Would just LOVE to see more of Annabelle and Pepsi and all the gang!

MJ Krech

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5-16
7:11
am

You must be the alpha chicken! Personally, I’d be looking at chicken recipes. 40 clove garlic chicken or coq au vin sound delicious.

Annie

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5-16
7:34
am

There is no peace and quiet at your house! ha
You will have to train the dog to “run interferance” for you!

The Retired One

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5-16
7:35
am

I have a hatchet with his name on it… wanna borrow it? *snicker* Lisa has a great idea!!! We used to have a rooster growing up that was like that – we tied him up by his leg….seriously – then we made soup out of him. He’s lucky to have you Sue, cuz he would have been supper here by now!!! LOL

Heidi

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5-16
7:40
am

I’m only going to gently fuss at you because I know what kind of damage a mean roo can do with his spurs. He could really hurt any small visitors you might have.

Remudamom

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5-16
7:41
am

Really cute video! I think you are very brave keeping the camera and the stick pointed at that ferocious animal! I’m afraid of Canadian geese when I walk around the pond, they hiss and chase me into jogging! Anyway,I notice you let him have the last word!

heidiannie

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5-16
7:57
am

Suzanne–might I suggest chicken tenders or baked chicken. since you just had chicken and dumplings like a month ago. Is it white wine goes with chicken. He doesn’t bother with 52: let him catch it.

Since they are now free range, he thinks his territory IS YOUR yard. The other roosters in your flock seem pretty well mannered. If he can’t behave, then it is time for him to go. I don’t think you could deal with the guilt of having him attack someone (I am not sure about the legalities, but . . .)

monica

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5-16
7:59
am

At least the birds chirping in the trees lend a peaceful and bucolic feel to that video. I think he would look nice in a roasting pan.

Mental P Mama

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5-16
7:59
am

Crowing, Baaaaaaing and Screaming…..Toooo funny Thank you for a giggle to start my day!

cgReno

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5-16
8:05
am

“I despise a flogging rooster”
spoken by Ruby in Cold Mountain, right before she wrings it’s neck.
just sayin’

shirley

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5-16
8:10
am

ya know, I think I would be having that roster for dinner!

Bonny

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5-16
8:11
am

rooster, sorry

Bonny

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5-16
8:31
am

My big rooster is just a month or so younger than your mean rooster. He’s recently been showing that kind of aggression. I finally had it when he spurred me and cut my let open. I beat him with a stick until he quit coming at me. Now (and it’s only been three days) he runs the opposite way when he sees me coming.

Heidi533

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5-16
8:32
am

Wow – everyone else has already said anything I would, and I don’t even have farm animals! Yep. Fried chicken. Chicken fricassee. Grilled chicken. Chicken Cacciatore. Or – whack him with a broom. Or – hold him tight – something he obviously doesn’t want! Come on, Suzanne, you’re the amazing farmer/writer/chef – you can WIN this battle! Do us proud – dominate the sucker. Or eat him.

Nancy in Atlanta

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5-16
8:32
am

I like the basket idea. Long pole with a basket on the end. Leave him under it til you’ve completed your mission then let him out. Surely this would put him in his place. If nothing else he would run from you instead of at you.

I couldn’t eat him for his misbehavior but I sure could sell him.
(That’s why I don’t live on a farm, lol)

Darlene

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5-16
8:33
am

Forgot to say – love the video!!! Now you can give us more!

Nancy in Atlanta

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5-16
8:52
am

Love the video, expecially the sound effects. We need to see more of the critters this way. Bundle up and chase/confront Mean Rooster until he gives up from exhaustion. Do this several times in the same day and he will get the message and stay away from you. It’s what my daddy taught me to do because I was afraid of the chickens growing up. Once I did this, OK I was crying AND scared, it REALLY DID WORK. My daddy really did know best..

SuzieQ

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5-16
9:05
am

Oh this is terrible! You’ve got to stop him from acting like this or he’s dinner! Remember they can’t see in the dark…carry a thick towel or small blanket and throw it over him, scoop him up and hold him by the legs (both of them) and then you can do with him what you want. He knows you’re scared of him and its giving him the power to scare you more….not to mention that he’s teaching your other roosters bad behavior. You can’t let this continue, especially since he’s free to roam and intimidate everyone who comes and goes at your house. We used to keep these aggressive roosters penned up separately and only put the nice ones out with the chickens. There ARE nice roosters! I had one for a pet (Roostie). The aggressive ones were dinner or stew one by one. Sorry….but that’s farm life. Stick to your guns, girl. Show that guy whose boss. Just listen to him BRAG that he took care of you! BAH! He needs a lesson. (if you don’t stop this he’s going to hurt someone or another animal badly one day). I notice the other rooster is minding his own business. Good luck and show us your progress!! Big hugs!

Goldenval

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5-16
9:36
am

Good Morning Suzanne!

Do you want eggs? During the video I did not see any nest boxes for the hens to lay their eggs in. How many do you have? They recommend at least 1 box per 4 hens. If you give them nice dry nest boxes they will lay eggs. Go to backyardchickens.com they have lots of information for making some, great pictures too.

Get some big boots on and chase that rooster – he will quit once he sees he cannot intimidate you!
God Bless! Michelle in Tennessee

Michelle Wise

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5-16
9:45
am

Yes, we do have six nesting boxes. They hardly ever use them and most often lay on the floor, which is why I was looking there!

Suzanne McMinn

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5-16
9:52
am

We had the same problem with a big Bugg Orphington rooster one time. Maw got her fill of it, grabbed him up, done the twist-a-roo on his neck, and introduced him to a big ol’ stew pot.

That’s what i’d advice for you to do. Introduce him to a stew pot. Then share your chicken soup recipe with us. I’m sure you have a wonderful homemade noodle recipe that you are just dying to try out.

Golden opportunity.

Matthew Burns

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5-16
9:57
am

That rooster would scare me, too. Luckily, I have a brother and a dad who would help me help HIM into the afterlife. I might not have the stomach to clean and cook the carcass, but he would no longer be bothering me. It looks like you have another, nicer, rooster out there, too? I would keep that one.

Taryn

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5-16
10:53
am

I love that movie!

Bonny

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5-16
11:44
am

That is your yard not his! You need to take it back.

Nancy

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5-16
11:47
am

Three words: Coq au vin.

I have to say, my Godfather’s mean rooster gets picked up and carried around whenever he gets a little too full of himself, and he’s NEVER attacked me or my kids (three of whom are girls).

Ulrike

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5-16
11:58
am

OMG! LOVE, LOVE the video!! And I love to hear all of the farm sounds. I hope you post some videos of Clover and Pepsi!

midwestmom

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5-16
1:09
pm

That is one nasty rooster. Maybe you need to smack him one with the stick.

Estella

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5-16
2:35
pm

Suzanne,
1) Whack him with a broom
2) Dump a bucket of water on him
You carry one
Morgan carries two
Get the boys to help
Chase him .. yell/snarl (no screams) and then..
3) He goes to chicken jail!
Remember you blog entry about the chickens at the other farm, if they didn’t show up for curfew, they went to the holding pen for 3 days.

No Freedom for bad behavior.

M
- who picked eggs at the grandparents farm in Georgia and had to deal with aggresive hens!

M

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5-16
3:54
pm

I’d be looking for a good Crockpot recipe if I were you.

wildcat

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5-16
5:06
pm

I’d fry him. Tonight.

Kacey

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5-16
5:46
pm

Suzanne!! That is a very bad rooster!!
I dont even know how you deal with him! I am sorry to say, as handsome as he is, his behavior would get him a one way ticket to kebobville!

Lisa

lisa

Flag this comment
5-16
6:03
pm

You need to show that rooster who is the boss. When I was growing up, we had mean turkey who liked to give us heck. Scared my little sister to death. Grandpa took care of mean turkey. He was pretty tasty.

LeAnne

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5-16
6:06
pm

“Revenge is best served cold,” but I would strike while the iron is hot and serve this bad boy with a side of potato salad and some greens!

Jan

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5-16
6:10
pm

Suzanne,

Try putting a golf ball or a real looking egg – one in each nesting box to give them the right idea. Or you might go out and purchase a few experienced layers to show your girls how it’s done until they get the hang of it.

There are also articles on this problem with more ideas at the backyardchickens.com website.

Good luck! I wish I was there to help! Michelle

Michelle Wise

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5-16
6:21
pm

I like the embarrassment route. Search for your eggs with him dangling by his feet as the hens look on! I think that’s a good non-mean tactic…then you can think about other solutions. But, the others are right and you’re currently just enabling his behavior.

On another note, I really loved the sounds of your farm! The crowing, the wonderful bleating of sweet goats. I hope you post more videos sometime. I enjoy the idyll of your farm life.

Gini

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5-16
7:14
pm

Why is it always the good lookin rooster that is the mean one? He is so pretty, what a shame he will be ending up in a pot soon!

Donna R

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5-16
7:34
pm

I just want to say how much I enjoyed the video and hope there’s going to be more

catslady

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5-16
9:26
pm

That rooster’s a great candidate for freezer camp.

Amy W.

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5-16
9:44
pm

That rooster has got your number, my dear! And he’s going to grow nasty spurs with which he can do SERIOUS damage and continue to develop a nastier attitude. Just ask my eldest daughter to show you her scars … we learned the hard way that aggression in roosters can’t be tolerated! Please PLEASE PLEASE listen to your concerned readers and either claim your (rightful) place as Alpha by whacking him or humiliating him, or introduce him to the stew pot … before someone gets hurt.

Lola-Dawn

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5-17
12:26
am

My poor indoor city-cat was snoozing on my desk when I played this. SHe’s used to my music, so the noise didn’t bother her until the rooster crowed for the first time-then she woke in the ready to fight position.

Sasha White

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5-17
7:20
am

I have the best recipe for the old-fashioned “slick” dumplings for roosters like that. Are you sure you don’t want to try it?
An hour or two in a stewpot would do wonders for his attitude.

Judy Mitchell

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5-17
7:54
am

I have to agree with the others, that rooster likes to hear you squeal and knows he is running the show.
Whack him or cook him! Either way he learns a lesson!
Good Luck!

Sabrina

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5-17
8:23
am

You really need to correct his behavior before he injures someone. He knows you’re afraid. Have your men catch him and trim his spurs. Ditch the stick and give him a good swift kick when he comes at you. Problem solved. He’ll get the point that you’re the boss when you’re out there or HE is dinner. Culling mean roosters isn’t as tough as you’d think. They make awesome homemade soup

Good luck!

Shell

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5-17
9:19
am

We’ve got a mean rooster that is going to the freezer asap. I can’t go into the pen with the little kids at all. And there’s no way he would be given the freedom of roaming our yard when we are ready to let the chickens free-range. It’s silly that despite the huge disparity in size, they can seem pretty scary and tough coming at you. Ours decided to have a go at me last night for the second time. I have to say that I have no qualms kicking him or smacking him with whatever “weapon” is at hand. Our other rooster actually gets in on the act and tries to pin the mean one when he starts attacking. I don’t know if that’s usual behavior or not, but it’s certainly appreciated!
~Jenny~

Jenny

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5-17
5:13
pm

So I’m wondering where all your eggs are getting to. If this just started, about how long ago? About a week? Then you’ve got yourself an egg-sucking dog. It’s possible that something else is getting the eggs, and sometimes they start with the eggs and move on to the chickens. You may want to keep an eye out, listen for the hens cackling after they’ve laid and then keep a lookout for what’s getting the eggs. It could be a snake, a(nother) dog, skunk, possum or other friendly critter.

Darlene in GA

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5-17
6:34
pm

I don’t think cooking him would do any good But a good whacking would!

Mary

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5-18
3:32
am

maybe you could read him a recipe called coq au vin, and show a large pan……….see if it helps

hugs

gwen

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5-18
2:54
pm

I have a mean rooster too, but he’s on borrowed time. I have puncture wounds, scratches and bruises on my legs from him. One more time, and he’s Roo Stew!

Terrye

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5-18
4:51
pm

loved the video, get your bluff in on that rooster pretty soon, those spurs are deadly, good luck and let us know how it goes.

sunnid755

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7-18
4:46
pm

I grew up on a farm in Alabama and part of my “chores” was to feed/water the chickens and gather eggs. I too had to contend with a mean rooster named Rusty who attacked me every time I went into the pen.
One day, I entered and Rusty spotted me from across the pen and charged me. There was a large wooden stake lying on the ground and I picked it up, and hit him in the head with the intention of killing him (I was that scared). I whacked that rooster so hard it knocked him down! I didn’t kill him though, but that mean rooster NEVER bothered me again.

Robbie

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4-19
2:43
pm

Wow, did that video bring back childhood memories. When I was a young teenager, I had a sister, Barb, who was 9 years my junior. We had an aggressive rooster, who never bothered us boys. But, when Barb, who was about 3 or 4 yrs old at the time, happened to wander into his space, that old rooster would charge her. She was scared to death. We boys took it upon ourselves to keep an eye out for her.

One day we saw the familiar scenario unfold as we were playing baseball. Before we knew it, Barb was in a full run with the rooster gaining on her. We called to her to run toward us. As she came by, I grabbed the trusty old wooden bat and planted a home-run swing on him. If he were a baseball, he would have left the park. As it turned out, the rooster fell to the ground and didn’t get up. What to do now???

All I could remember going through my mind was how I was going to explain this to mom and dad. Somehow, in my adolescent mind, I thought they would be upset that I went to such an extreme to protect my sister. Somehow, I sort of understood the notion of proportional retaliation at that age. So, I mustered up the courage to march right into the house and tell mom we were about to have chicken for dinner, if only she could give me a refresher on how to butcher the bird. I decided to take teary-faced Barb with me as sentimental cover for the wrath that was sure to come.

As I dramatically recounted Barb’s peril, I explained that I killed the old bird with the baseball bat. Mom listened intently (thankfully dad wasn’t home at the time). Much to my dismay and without batting an eye, she told me to tie the bird up by his feet while she got a pot of water to boil.

To shorten the story and leave out gory details, I made my way back to toward the barn. When I got to the motionless rooster, I was sure rigamortis had set in already (it had only been about 15 min since the encounter). So, I gave the rooster a nudge with my boot. Almost immediately he got up and wandered in circles, clearly dazed. After a few minutes, he appeared to be back to normal, sans the aggressive behavior. After that, Barb never had a problem with the rooster and could play happily in the yard wherever she desired.

Mat

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4-13
9:42
pm

It’s true, you have to teach him.
Remember, he is the last line of defense against that raccoon that manages to get into the chicken house at night. He needs his spurs and attitude. But he needs to know NOT to use them on you.
I am a city girl who raised chickens in the city. A raccoon got in one night (yes, in the middle of Phoenix) and my 3 frizzle boys died defending their sister, who was not touched by the raccoon. These were baby boys, too. Not even to adolescence yet. Brave little fuzz balls.
A broom is a good thing to chase and beat with. Scary to them. I would catch my big rooster, disable legs and wings with my hands and put him on my lap. When I petted his head he gradually became hypnotized and hung his head down in bliss. They are all bluster.
A friend smacked her mean rooster with a cast iron frying pan. He landed under a bush and didn’t come out for 3 days! When he did, he behaved.
You can do it. Shoot, if I can, you certainly can!!!
Have someone film your showdown! It will make a great sequel!
I sure miss my chickens.

roz

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