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Post by Sylie on Jul 12, 2018 9:50:11 GMT -5
okay so, my mille rooster is so weird. He GROWLS at me when I cough or sneeze....o.O It sounds just like a dog growling. Both of the roosters also sing the egg song o.O They have never been anywhere near any other chickens to learn it, it just comes naturally I guess lol
The mille bites me daily, 4 or 5 bites in rapid succession. I pin him to the floor (gently, I don't hurt him, it's a dominance thing) and that's the end of it for the day, he doesn't bite or show aggression again until the next morning when it starts all over again. (anyone ever seen the movie "50 First Dates"? or Groundhog Day?)
Also, the mille crows (duh) for 2 hours solid every morning, one right after the other then again for half an hour around mid day, half an hour again around mid afternoon, 10 minutes or so in early evening and 4 or 5 crows after I turn out the lights at night. This morning I decided, just for curiosity sake, to count how many crows he belts out in the morning....211, it makes me absolutely nuts. If I happen to be in the room when he's crowing it makes my ears ring and you can actually feel the air vibrate from it. He also just randomly crows a few crows now and then
Yesterday I was so frustrated I actually crowed back at him as loud as I could and he looked at me like I had 2 heads. He dipped and dashed and looked around and stopped crowing for about 2 minutes..aaahhh peace. Then started again. (dang it!)
I realize that most of the behaviors are normal rooster things, I'm just venting and getting my thoughts/frustrations out to friends that I know will understand. Thank you for listening....
I am looking to rehome him, I have ads out around town, on the internet and have talked with a few people that showed mild interest but no commitments yet. Most people looking for a rooster want a standard sized one so being a bantam is making it hard to find him a home. If anyone wants him and is willing to drive to Iowa, you are most welcome to him. He is a Mille Fleur d'Uccle with a big, giant mouth. Born April 9th 2018. (someone, please, I'm begging, come get this little monster!)
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Post by chickenqueen on Jul 12, 2018 11:52:55 GMT -5
Welcome to the world of roosters!!!A neighbor raises fighting chickens so it's almost a constant crowing going on,including having to listen to mine,too.I don't really notice it anymore.I worked the night shift for almost 30 yrs and you learn how to sleep with noise.As you are finding out,no one wants roosters and they are hard to rehome.I don't even try anymore.So,all I can say is good luck with that....
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Post by Sylie on Jul 12, 2018 15:41:38 GMT -5
I went out to ax him this afternoon but couldn't follow through, I'm pathetic. I just have a thing about taking a life unnecessarily. A sick animal with no hope of recovery that is suffering, that's a different thing. But he's not sick, he's just annoying (and by annoying, I mean...I honestly cannot stand him anymore but he is causing my husband and I to fight) I have looked and looked for redeeming qualities in him and find none. He is mean and loud and an eating and pooping machine that takes up space and money. He hates being held, he attacks everyone and everything.
I've rehomed roosters in the past without this much problem, I've only had one bantam rooster to rehome before and it was easy, the woman that took him "collects" chickens and loved him to death. Sadly, she has since gone to a nursing home and her children got rid of all of her chickens.
My husband said today that we will never get another chicken or duck ever, this rooster has caused so many problems that he never wants to go through this again. With my "rooster" curse, he won't chance it. (many of my past "pullets" that were sexed as pullets turned out to be roosters). Maybe he's right, I should not own animals if I can't do this one thing.
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Post by seminolewind on Jul 12, 2018 21:15:09 GMT -5
I had 2 "wild" roosters that were looking to fight and I just made them live in the yard and fend for themselves. More I couldn't do. I gave them to someone and they crowed non stop so he called a guy who needed food.
Sadly but realistically, you may want to find someone to process him for their personal use.
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Post by Sylie on Jul 13, 2018 7:40:03 GMT -5
There's not much point in processing for food since he is a juvie bantam, there isn't much meat there, approximately a chicken nugget worth haha. I am taking a different approach to dealing with the issues. No more mrs nice guy, I'm the dominant rooster (I know the gender qualifications are screwed up). If he doesn't like it, TOUGH CRUD!
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Post by chickenqueen on Jul 13, 2018 9:31:34 GMT -5
Will your hubby do the deed?When I put one down,Dale usually does it for me.Chickens aren't worth fighting over.Been there,done that.That's why I don't have house chickens anymore.You can't let 1 rooster ruin everything,especially your marriage.Will your feed store take it?Sometimes they will and other customers come in and take them.Have you tried any local animal rescues in your area?They may have places to refer you to.That's all I have now.If I come up with more,I'll post them.
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Post by Sylie on Jul 13, 2018 18:34:35 GMT -5
No, my husband will not kill anything that he's not going to eat except bugs/bees etc.
The fighting is over, we had a chat and I am dealing with the stress a little differently. I put in ear plugs haha. (for the crowing, not for the husband) I also realized that I had been forgetting my ashwagandha (herb that is equivalent to an antidepressant/anti-anxiety medicine) so I made sure that I am taking that like I should.
No, the feed store will not take it back, I checked but the manager said she may know someone that wants it so she's supposed to get back to me.
The only rescue we have around here only does dogs and cats, no other kind of animal at all. I can call and see if they know someone that would want him but honestly, I think I'm stuck with him. That is why I am trying to find ways to deal with him.
Today I had my daughter help me count the crows, so far, as of 6:30p.m. we are at 4,734 in 12 hours (4,735....4,736....) I am not joking or exaggerating when I say that he is LITERALLY hoarse right now. The tail end of his crow is scratchy and gravelly sounding from so much crowing today. Does anyone else think that is excessive? Why would he be crowing so much that he makes himself hoarse? It sounds painful to me. (4,744)
I guess I am just going to have to find a way to make it work. (4752)
Thx for all the ideas guys! (4757)
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Post by chickenqueen on Jul 14, 2018 9:10:54 GMT -5
OMG!!!Thousands of crows a day?I don't know who to feel sorriest for-you having to listen to it or the little rooster who's killing himself crowing.All I can say is good luck with that.....
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Post by Sylie on Jul 14, 2018 9:59:23 GMT -5
Yes, that is as accurate of a count as I can get, I might have missed a few while I was outside with the ducks and chickens but my daughter was keeping track while I was outside. Already this morning we are at 772 and he's only been at it for about 4 hours. he is still a bit hoarse this morning but better than last night. I don't know how to make him stop. I'm pretty sure my ears are bleeding. I just cannot imagine why he would keep doing it even though it appears to be painful for him. That hoarseness sounds like his throat is sore, maybe he's just stupid? lol
I considered letting him have some time with my big girls (standard sized barred rocks) just to give him something to do besides crow but my dominant hen would probably kill him. She's kinda ornery with other animals. Plus, then he would know there were hens available and would likely crow even more when I brought him inside. So, yeah, maybe not.
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Post by dawg53 on Jul 14, 2018 10:41:41 GMT -5
I'd be darned if I'd be counting crows from a rooster! Off with his head, then throw him out in the field for the buzzards to eat!
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Post by seminolewind on Jul 14, 2018 22:20:20 GMT -5
He's a problem. I had one bantam roo and he was a problem too. But he got given away as a pair. Sometimes pairs get rehomed easier.
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Post by Sylie on Jul 14, 2018 23:20:08 GMT -5
I'm thinking about trying to rehome as a pair, I was kinda hoping to keep the porcelain as my little buddy but as of today, he does not see me as a buddy, more as a girlfriend, every time I get near him he grabs me and does what boy chickens do when in the company of a girl. It's not easy to get him off either! he's quite the strong grip considering his beak isn't quite right. (shows you the beak dents in my wrist...) On the plus side, the mille only crowed 3,074 times today  (I think counting the crows is becoming an obsession, I just can't help it, half the time I'm not even thinking about counting them) |
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Post by chickenqueen on Jul 15, 2018 12:58:27 GMT -5
Poor Sylie!!!He's driving you crazy!!!Ok,get a grip on the situation and start asking yourself some serious questions(which I'm sure you have!!!).He's one of the house chickens,isn't he?He's causing all sorts of problems,including in your marriage and is driving you crazy.Spouses will quit arguing about it temporarily but it will resurface later,if it hasn't already.Resentment starts to build and then you have more problems.Trust me,I've been there,done that.Hubby could learn to hate all the chickens and you definitely don't want that.Get rid of that rooster now!!!I don't like killing something I'm not going to eat or protect the flock from but sometimes you have to make hard decisions and follow through.What's more important,the problem rooster or your whole,happy way of life?Cull him humanely,you may feel a little guilty but you did the best you could and it's a last resort.Imagine how you would feel if hubby says he can't take it anymore and is leaving because of the chickens.One problem rooster isn't worth all the problems you're having.Imagine how life was before and will be again after he is gone.Then,take him out and ring his neck(the rooster,not hubby LOL).Eventually, you'll be glad that you did.It's for the greater good of your life and everybody else's!!!Good luck!!!
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Post by Sylie on Jul 15, 2018 20:47:04 GMT -5
Thank you CQ, I really needed the encouragement. Yes, he's one of the house roosters. I've already thought about everything you said. My husband told me the reason we were fighting was not because of the crowing but because of how I was reacting to it. I was/am a basket case. Even my cats are becoming basket cases. One of them is so nervous that if she gets startled by something (me coming in the door while she's sleeping for example) she RACES in circles and then to her food bowl and gobbles as fast as she can. (then pukes from eating too fast)
I have them listed on the local freecycle site on FB (my son listed them since I don't do Facebook) and 2 other places that he uses to sell his video stuff. I listed them on Craig's list just now. I haven't heard a peep out of anyone but I have a few other places where I can put a physical flyer. The guy from my husband's work decided he didn't want them and I haven't heard from the manager at the feed store where I got them.
I am really struggling with culling them. It really, physically hurts my heart to even think about it. I never thought that I would ever break my moral and religious beliefs by even considering it. But that is what this bird has brought me to. After dark, when he's FINALLY quiet, I cry myself to sleep. No joke. I just want someone to take them. I don't want to have to cull them. It's against everything I believe.
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Post by chickenqueen on Jul 16, 2018 11:48:11 GMT -5
You sound like me,17 yrs ago when I first started my chicken journey.You're putting a problem rooster above all else and I'm betting guilt is your main concern but the relief EVERYBODY experiences once he's gone will out weigh the guilt.
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Post by Sylie on Jul 16, 2018 19:52:06 GMT -5
yes, guilt is a part of it. I just strongly believe in not killing something just because it's a problem, there are other ways to deal with problems.
BUT! Craig's list came through for me, I just got a call from an older gentleman that is interested in them and would like to take a look at them, he is bringing a cage. I am meeting him in the parking lot of a store that is right on a busy highway and my husband is coming along for safety. I will have my boot knife and pepper spray also just in case. he is a local man but I've never met him so, safety first! I may even bring my wolf hybrid guard dog to make sure he doesn't pull anything at all. My dog is a pain in the butt but he has proven repeatedly that he will defend me every time.
I'll let you guys know how it goes when I get back.
UPDATE:
I'm back and both roosters went to a home with 2 silkies, a couple of old english games, barred rocks, ameracauna's and a couple of other breeds. He also has other roosters which makes me nervous but I did what I had to do and I can't worry about them or I'll go nuts.
I just can't worry about them. (repeat repeatedly)
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Post by chickenqueen on Jul 17, 2018 10:23:01 GMT -5
HURRAY!!!I'm glad you found a solution.How does everybody feel now?Has peace and quite returned to the household?
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Post by seminolewind on Jul 17, 2018 11:48:49 GMT -5
Sometimes it's best to offer girls with a group, makes it more desireable. Try not to worry about the chickens.
I've met people in parking lots to give chickens away. Like you, I'm just cautious. I do have a gun, LOL.
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Post by Sylie on Jul 17, 2018 20:25:09 GMT -5
HURRAY!!!I'm glad you found a solution.How does everybody feel now?Has peace and quite returned to the household? The roosters themselves never bothered anyone but me and the 2 cats that live in the same room. What was causing the problems was that I was going nuts because of the noise and that was what got the rest of the family stirred up, my reaction. I asked my daughter today if things are quieter for her now that they are gone and she said "I never really heard them that much before", My husband told me that they didn't bother him, only me being cranky and frustrated bothered him. But I will say this, life and love have returned to the room. My cats are MUCH better, the one that was doing the gobbling, isn't anymore, she doesn't freak out when some noise happens, they are both out of their hiding spots and playing like they used to. I am still adjusting, it's a relief for sure but you know how habits work...whenever I walk into that room and DON'T see the cage, it catches my breath for just a fraction of a second before I remember. I went in there this morning and grabbed the bag of food to give them and then went "what am I doing?". I also noticed the intense quiet. It's weird because the crowing was horrible, absolutely horrible but they made other noises too in between the crows, noises that you just accept as background noise, like their "talking" to each other, quiet little chattery type noises. The sound of the food as they beaked it out finding the EXACT right piece to eat, the sound of their feet in their bedding, the sound of preening and the sound of the feathers ruffling after they shake out all the loose feathers from preening. It's dead quiet in there now. |
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Post by seminolewind on Jul 18, 2018 11:47:58 GMT -5
Yea the exact piece they want is usually deep in the bowl!
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(I think counting the crows is becoming an obsession, I just can't help it, half the time I'm not even thinking about counting them)