We HATE our chickens . . . how long do they live?

[aggieterpkatie]

In my experience there really isn't any rhyme or reason why some roosters turn mean and others don't. I've had very tame roosters never be mean, and I've had "wild" roosters be mean, and I've had the opposite. Actually, I've only had 2 roosters attack out of all the chickens I've ever owned. One was a Buff Orp that was the devil, and he went to a friend's for dinner. As in, they had to put him in the food processor he was so tough!! The other roo that jumped me once or twice was a Rhodie, and I picked him up after each time and he didn't do it more than twice before he figured he's better of leaving me alone.

I've had LOTS of roosters here the past few years and they're so nice and gentlemanly. If I have to catch them for some reason they just chill out while I'm holding them. They don't freak out or act wild and crazy. And I've got one OEG bantam roo that is pretty darn friendly and will let me pick him up.

 

[redtailgal]

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[Matthew3590]

Here is my funnniest rooster story, might not be so funny to read but it was hysterical in person.

I knew the hens had been bothered about something. They were acting odd, holding feathers tight, and jumpy. Egg production was down, and I knew there was a snake invovled because Rye Whiskey did the "Hitler March" around egg nests all day for several days.

So one afternoon, when I heard my hens screaming, I ran hard as I could to the coop to catch the invader in the act.

What I found was a six foot kingsnake and Rye Whiskey in a massive fight. The snake had wrapped around the rooster, but had only trapped one foot. Whiskey was understandable FURIOUS, and had every intention of killing that snake. The snake was a bloody mess, several puncture would fom Whiskeys spurs, but was nonetheless attempting to bite Whiskey..........the poor snake was pulling feathers trying to find somewhere to bite.

Well, I had to do something. Being the super intelligent person that I am, I grabbed the snake by the head and the rooster by the one free leg, and unwrapped them. I ended up with a furious rooster in one hand, who was STILL trying everything he could to get the snake that I held in my other hand. Meanwhile, the snake, who was equally furious, managed to wrap himself around my arm and squeeze until my hand was turning blue.

I was in quite the pickle. I could turn loose of the snake until he turned loose of me. I couldnt turn loose of Whiskey, he would have torn me to shreds trying to kill the snake that was trying to kill me.

Of course, by this point, the hens had decided all was well and had gone about their business.

I had no other option than to strangle the snake (NOT an easy job with a numb hand and a pi&&ed off rooster). Once the snake was dead or unconscious (I didnt check, lol) I dropped them both at the same time and made a mad dive for cover.

Whiskey then proceeded to literaly tear the snake into peices. AND THEN HE ATE THE SNAKES HEAD.

I sure do get myself into some predicaments with my critters. lol

I would have dropped the rooster de head snake throw snake back to rooster and he show off his "kill" to the ladies!

 

[freemotion]

Wow, that is quite a story, redtailgal!!!! Wow!!!

 

[lilhill]

 

[dianneS]

Whiskey then proceeded to literaly tear the snake into peices. AND THEN HE ATE THE SNAKES HEAD.

Wow, that is one mean rooster! I have chickens tear apart smaller snakes and torment bigger ones until they leave the general vicinity of their coop, but a 6 footer! Wow, I've never seen a chicken take on one that size! And eat his head too, that would be a big head, I'm assuming he didn't eat it in one bite. That's one sadistic roo!

 

[rockdoveranch]

Crazy funny story Redtailgal, although I know it was not funny at the time! I am a very visual person and could see the story unfold in my head as you told it.

We have had rat snakes in our white ringneck loft and I swear, they can grab on so hard to a corner made of 2 x 4's and metal siding that it is almost impossible to pull them out. Hot wire has kept them out.

I thought all roosters were mean! Many years ago I had a little place with chickens, goats and a horse. Before the kids could play outside I had to put the roosters up and catch that damned billy in mid charge at me and lock him up in a stall. I am too old for that sort of shenanigans now. Now I am afraid of tripping over a chicken or cat and falling.

I have been a full time country gall since 2004 and we have not eaten any of our chickens or sheep yet, though I am ready to take our dorper/barbado mix to the butcher in a month or two. May try to find a neighbor to take the hens, although they do lay eggs.

When we first came out here to live someone gave us their goats. We had 3 billies, one of which would hook me. My legs were always bruised, so I started going out to feed with a metal pipe and would konk him on the head to keep him away from me. One day I was konking him and next thing I know I got hooked really bad. Turns out I was konking the wrong billy. We sold them that week to a neighbor.

 

[redtailgal]

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[elevan]

Don't mean to hijack but has anyone ever had their chickens kill small birds (like chickadees)?

 

[rockdoveranch]

Don't mean to hijack but has anyone ever had their chickens kill small birds (like chickadees)?

No birds that I know of, but a couple of weeks ago we were cleaning up around the house and uncovered a little field mouse, and one of our chickens snatched it, killed it, and the rest fought over who was going to eat it.