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sarahp24b

Loose rooster Help please!!

20 years ago

My neighbors are notorous for buying cute little easter pets for their kids and then releasing. Every year they have gotten a bunny and when it gets to big they let it go. I managed to rescue one a couple of years back, but the one last year got hit by a car. I guess this made them decide to get a chick this year instead. (I've been through this with them, don't buy them if you want to just let them go, or at the very least give them to me, etc... ) So now the cute little chick has grown into a loose rooster that I'm very concerned about.

Rabbits are easy to catch, have a heart trap & some warm veggies are usually an overnight success. But roosters?

I've put out corn, bread & tomatoes for him. He seems to be staying in the area, but is very wary of people getting too close. I really would like to buy a couple of hens to attract him close enough. I've wanted to get chickens for awhile now, and this would be the perfect opportunity, lol. I would do the whole nine yards for this guy if I can catch him. Any ideas would be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks! Sarah

Comments (6)

  • 20 years ago

    Get a couple of hens and your problem will be solved.

    But you must have a little place for them to lay eggs or your hen will do what one of my hens did...hide her eggs, then go broody. (For me it was in an old shed behind an old lawn mower.) Now I have baby chicks to report. 6 fluffy adorable little ones. Mommy hen does all the work, I just provide the food and water. She keeps them warm and doesn't let them out of her sight. Meanwhile, my sons are building a giant skateboard park in our backyard which must annoy new mommy and babies and my other 7 chickens and one rooster. But they adjust I guess.

    Good luck!

  • 20 years ago

    Do you have any idea where he roosts at night? I find it easier to catch my chickens at night -- maybe try a flashlight with a red piece of plastic over it to cut down white light. Or, right now, we're coming into a full moon, so you might be able to see enough outside to catch him.
    I know first thing in the morning ( and I mean really early) I can walk up to a rooster and grab him by the legs. Later in the morning, or afternoon, once they're on the ground and mobile -- forget it.
    Do you have a chicken catcher. They get you another 4 - 6 feet. I have one my Dad made eons ago, it's stiff wire with a hook at the end. Think of the number '7' The little piece is bent back, I guess more like the letter 'V'. the little piece is maybe three inches long, soft bend back, the long piece is 4 - 6 ft. The wire is probably a little less visible than, say, a broom handle, but either would work. It makes chickens easier to catch.
    Of course, if you really want some roosters, -- i have about 13 that I would gladly give you. Come on up some morning at 4:30, and take your pick. You'd get a good idea of their vocal cords at that hour.

  • 20 years ago

    Thanks a lot for all the advice :):)
    We had a hard time locating some adult hens, but ended up getting them from a rescue. I've been keeping food out for him to keep him close, and he usually comes down the driveway for it at 6:30 in the morning, he didn't do that the first day we had the hens here (figures) he's still around we can hear him, hopefully it won't take long now.
    I'm afraid of what the neighbors will do to him if they get him first. They'll eat him of course, but they won't be nice about killing him, the more pain the better as far as they are concerned. :(
    I thought he used to sleep near a tree in our driveway, but it seems like he's starting to move on, except for his morning feeding. I'm afaid that I'd screw up catching him anyway and just drive him further away.
    I'm not sure what breeds all the hens are, I've four total. One's a barred rock, another a Rhode Island Red cross, but these two, I'm not sure.

    {{gwi:41241}}
    {{gwi:41242}}

  • 20 years ago

    The first one is an Americaunas, she's nearly a dead ringer for one of my hens, named Babs (I've got a pic of her on my website if you want to see it in the 'Meet My Flock' section).

    The other little girl looks like a Black Sex Link. You can read more about both breeds at feathersite.com. I'm curious about the little golden-colored hen in the background--is she a buff cochin?

    Beautiful birds! :)

    Velvet ~:>

  • 20 years ago

    Yup, that's my girls alright! Thank you so much, I never would've found Izzy's breed. A barred rock cross, I love barred rocks!
    Please forgive my lack of being able to identify certain breeds easily, I'm brand new to this, I'll get better but for now, I've no clue. She said that this girl was a RIR cross.
    {{gwi:41243}}
    And since I've shown the other three girls, I gotta add the last, and nicest of all Ellie. This girl curles right up next to me and goes to sleep. And is the only one that lets me touch her on the back without taking cautious "are you going to eat me now?" steps away. None of them are really mean, just more cautious than others.
    {{gwi:41244}}

    Thanks again for helping me out on finding who these girls are. My dad really wanted brown eggs, and it looks like three out of four will do so, and dad will be happy. :):) Thanks!!:)

    P.S. Can you tell that these girls aren't going to end up as food? lol I've no problem eating chickens, but these girls will be living into old age just spoiled.

  • 20 years ago

    Barred rocks are soooo nice and gentle, aren't they? I also have two that look exactly like the first picture that you posted, although they dont lay very well:(

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