Dealing with aggressive rooster

[chicken pickin]

Just my opinion but there are WAY too many good looking well behaved male birds out there to keep a nasty one around, not worth it. All nasty males here at my house get sent to the freezer, no question. I agree about the nasty attitude being passed to offspring, again not worth it. I just recently had a male Silkie and he was awful, he is now in the freezer.

 

[Fentress]

I've never done this myself, but Beekissed posted her method for dealing with an aggressive cock and it makes since to me. I saved it and now share it with you. I hope she doesn't mind me reposting it. Hope he is really worth the effort.



I'm going to give you a clue on "rooster speak"....holding him down doesn't mean anything to him. If you'll watch how roosters interact between dominant ones and subordinate ones, there is rarely any, if ever, holding a bird down for a long time when there is an altercation. There is very quick flogging, gripping by the back of the head and flinging him away or getting him down and giving some savage pecking to the back of the head or neck. No holding him down and nothing else. That's a rooster on a hen maneuver, not rooster on rooster.
Because your rooster is attacking you, you are the subordinate in this picture. You are getting dominated by your bird simply because you are walking where a subordinate isn't supposed to be walking when a dominant is in the area. What you never see is a dominant rooster getting attacked by a subordinate rooster unless there is going to be a definite shift in power, at which time the sub will challenge the dom and win...or lose. So far you are losing and not even challenging.
If you want to win this battle, you must go on the offensive, not the defensive. He who attacks first, and is still claiming the area when the other guy leaves it, is the winner. Some people never have to go on the offensive because their movements in the coop are so decisive that they move and act like a dominant and a 2 ft. rooster is smart enough to recognize a dominant attitude and behavior...which is likely why he's never attacked your husband. Most men move more decisively than do women and children and they rarely step around a bird, but walk through them.
Carrying him around also doesn't mean anything to him...it just doesn't translate at all. His environment is that coop and run floor and that's where you need to speak to him, in a language he understands. Because they are quick on their feet and can evade you, you need a training tool like a long, limber, supple rod of some kind...cutting a nice switch from a shrub or tree that will lengthen your reach by 5 ft. really helps in this. Don't use a rake or broom because they are too clumsy and stiff and can put the hurts on the guy when you don't really mean to.
When you enter your coop, walk with decisive movements and walk directly towards your rooster. Move him away from the feeder and the rest of the flock and keep a slow, determined pressure on him until he leaves the coop. The stick will help you guide him. Then...wait patiently while he gets his bird mind around what just happened. He will try to come back in the coop...let him. When he gets a good bit into that coop, take your switch and give him a good smack on the fluffy feathers under his tail if you can aim it well. If you cannot, just smack the floor near him very hard and fast until he hops and runs and keep at it until he leaves the coop once again. Repeat this process until he is too wary to come back in the coop.
Feed your hens. When he tries to come to the feeder, you "attack" him with the switch...smack the wall by the pop door just as he tries to enter. If he makes it inside, pursue him with the stick either smacking the floor or tapping him on the back or the head until he leaves in a hurry. Make him stay outside while you sit there and enjoy watching your hens eat. Use the stick to keep him from the flock..just him. Don't worry about the hens running and getting excited when this is happening...they will get over it. This is for the future of your flock and your management of it.
When the hens have had a good tucker....leave the coop and let him come back in. Go out later and walk through that flock and use your legs to scatter birds if they get in your way...top roosters do not step to one side for any other bird in the flock. You shouldn't either. Take your stick and startle him with a smack on the floor next to him when he is least expecting it...make that bird jump and RUN. Make him so nervous around you that he is always looking over his shoulder and trying to get out of your way. THAT'S how he needs to be from now on in your lives together. Forget about pets or cuddles...this is a language and behavior he understands. You can hand feed him and such later...right now you need to establish that when you move, he moves...away. When you turn your back, he doesn't move towards you...ever.
Then test him...take your stick along, move around in the coop, bend over with your back turned to him, feed, water, etc....but keep one eye on that rooster. If he even makes one tiny step in your direction or in your "zone", go on the attack and run him clear on out of the coop. Then keep him out while everyone else is eating.
THAT'S how a dominant rooster treats a subordinate. They don't let them crow, mate or even eat in their space. If the subordinate knows his place and watches over his shoulder a lot, he may get to come and eat while the other rooster is at the feeder...but he doesn't ever relax if he knows what is good for him. At any given time the dominant will run him off of that feed and he knows it, so he eats with one eye toward the door. If he feels the need to crow, it's not usually where the dom can reach him...maybe across the yard.
If your rooster crows while you are there, move towards him and keep on the pressure until he stops. He doesn't get to crow while you are there. He can crow later...not while you are there.
It all sounds time consuming but it really isn't...shouldn't take more than minutes for each lesson and you can learn a lot as you go along. And it can be fun if you venture into it with the right attitude....this is rooster training that really works if you do it correctly. This can work on strange roosters, multiple roosters and even old roosters...they can all learn. You rule the coop...now act like it. Carrying is for babies...you have a full grown rooster on your hands, not a baby.

 

[Sydney Acres]

I like it Fentress. It's essentially the same idea as the towel method, but with a lot more detail as to why it works. Beekissed is absolutely right -- roosters respect hierarchy, and you get to the top of the hierarchy by either winning the fight -- every time -- or by default, because those around you don't want to be top dog. The nice roosters that never want to challenge you -- they have no interest in being in charge, either because it's not in their nature or because you seem too impressive to challenge. The ones that attack are either defending their territory from a subordinate (you), or they have worked up the nerve to try to take the top position away from you. Either way, you only stop the attacks if you win the fight, every time, ideally in a way that the rooster never lands a blow to boost his ego. Darn difficult creatures, these roosters. I just want to have a sweet, calming relationship with my chickens, but sometimes these boys don't make it easy.

 

[Fentress]

Yes, the towel technique reminded me of her approach.

 

[Diannastarr]

yes thats it in a nut shell
The trick is don't back down ever. my roo attacks all men my husband included , and not me becasue i proved to him that i will never back down and so now im the top rooster around here, im always up for a good fight , and he knows it so if he knows whats good for him & he has stopped trying to go against me , but he also knows that he wont have any problems if he is not the aggressor, he turned mean at around 18 weeks old , and he is one year this past june & is tamer now , but he also knows that i would treat him the way he treated me & it didn't take long until HE GOT THAT POINT...! so when they are doing what you wanted ,I do give him treats & talk to him & give him some attention, i tell him he is a good boy when he is & HE Dont want to be a bad boy....lol..any more ...lol... his not looking for any more BAD ATTENTION from me ..lol...plus roos will get use to our routine, but i never gave my rooster the upper hand & would not give in an inch, when I tamed him my giant combative roo a NHR, but really it seems they do get better with age , we should be constant with roosters, because they do understand a lot more then they let on...lol.... and try to out smart us, to get their way , but they do have respect for the top rooster, {{ and that should be you }} dont start any challenges you cant end because it will never end , it will remain an on going fight ,until one of you wins, i never let my rooster have the upper hand, i never kicked him or harmed him for no reason, i give back what i get but good , thats the name of the game ,being top rooster so I got that into his head and now he is afraid to go against me , so never let a rooster think he is in charge, im always reasonable , and thats what I expect in RETURN, I have to say i didnt train him over night it took time 18 weeks until he was a year old , i did the same thing daily & used the same words forcefully , i use go and stop a lot ...lol. but a word of advice you should always have a weapon like a broom or what ever & not be afraid to use it...! and my roo knows that one by heart...lol.. SO GOOD LUCK OUT THEIR WITH YOUR ROOS

 

[Granny368W]

yes thats it in a nut shell The trick is don't back down ever. my roo attacks all men my husband included , and not me becasue i proved to him that i will never back down and im the top rooster around here im always up for a good fight , so he gave up ,trying to go against me , but he knows that he wont have any problems if he is not the aggressor, he turned mean at around 18 weeks old , and he is one year this past june is tamer now , but he knows that i would treat him the way he treated me & it didn't take long until HE GOT THAT POINT...! so when they are doing what you wanted ,I do give him treats & talk to him & give him some attention, i tell my roo he is a good boy when he is & HE Dont want to be a bad boy....lol... dont want any, BAD ATTENTION from me ..lol...plus roos will get use to your routine, but i never gave my rooster the upper hand & would not give in an inch, when I tamed him my giant combative roo a NHR, but really it seems they do get better with age , we should be constant with roosters, because they do understand a lot more then they let on...lol.... and try to out smart us, to get their way , but they do have respect for the top rooster, {{ and that should be you }} dont start any challenges you cant end because it will never end , it will remain an on going fight ,until one of you wins, i never let my rooster have the upper hand, i never kicked him or harmed him for no reason, i give back what i get but good , thats the name of the game ,being top rooster so I got that into his head and now he is afraid to go against me , so never let a rooster think he is in charge, im always reasonable , and thats what I expect in RETURN, I have to say i didnt train him over night it took time, i did the same thing daily ,& used the same words forcefully , i use go and stop a lot ...lol. but a word of advice you should always have a weapon like a broom or what ever & not be afraid to use it...! and my roo knows that one by heart...lol.. SO GOOD LUCK OUT THEIR WITH YOUR ROOS

wow, he's a very pretty rooster...

 

[MysteriaSdrassa]

i have found that a super soaker type water gun works wonders

 

[PJK63]

Our rooster is about a year old. He's a black Austalorp. We have 6 hens of various breeds. They free range in the horse pasture during the day. Several months ago, our roo pecked me hard on the hand. So I grabbed him and picked him up. Holding his legs so he couldn't scratch me, I held him on his back (is this ok?) for about 15 minutes and rubbed his belly and tickled his wattle and basically just messed with him a bit. When I put him down, he ran off looking rather unhappy, but he left me alone for a long time. Then he pecked me on the leg. I did the same thing again, and I do it every few weeks for good measure now. He does not act aggressive to me. I do walk directly towards him, deliberately and do not back down from him for anything.

But, he flogged my husband yesterday. He also tries to flog the dog, who does not back down to him either (brave dog). He didn't hurt hubby thanks to his blue jeans, but I worry about our young grand kids. We can keep them away from him without too much trouble, as they aren't there all the time and aren't around him much.

Could it be the way I treat him that keeps him from attacking me? Should my hubby start picking him up and rubbing his belly? I don't really want to cull him as he does offer some protection for our hens and he's so pretty! I read the comment about not letting him crow or breed the hens in front of us. So, maybe hubby should start keeping him from doing that? Would more hens make him less aggressive or more? Or would that make any difference at all? We are still new to this, only having chickens for about the past year, so any insight is much appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[Fentress]

That's why I don't keep a people aggressive cock, because even though I may be able to keep him in line, when others are on the property it is something to worry about, especially if you travel and ask a friend to keep your flock while you are gone. So far, standard bred poultry has been alot less people aggressive, than the leg floggers you get from the hatcheries.

 

[PJK63]

What does "standard-bred" mean?