Rooster Attack out of the blue!

[christwodog]

My rooster, Kono, is almost two years old. He has never acted aggressively towards me, but yesterday, out of nowhere, he came up behind me and spurred the crap out of my leg! Of course, I was wearing shorts (it was 85 yesterday) and have two bloody cuts on my leg! What gives? Is this likely to continue? I yelled at him and threw the only thing I could grab, which was a starfruit that was on the ground. I have good aim and he got a solid hit to the head but he didn't run away. It was just about dark so we had a stand off until he got up on top of the coop where he sleeps. For those of you with rooster experience, is he turning into a jerk? Or just a random moment of aggresssion?

 

[sourland]

Did you do or wear something different ? Had the flock recently been threatened by a predator ? Odd for a mature rooster to change temperament like that, but I would keep an eye on him. Don't let this behavior escalate.

 

[ashlierami]

My rooster, Kono, is almost two years old. He has never acted aggressively towards me, but yesterday, out of nowhere, he came up behind me and spurred the crap out of my leg! Of course, I was wearing shorts (it was 85 yesterday) and have two bloody cuts on my leg! What gives? Is this likely to continue? I yelled at him and threw the only thing I could grab, which was a starfruit that was on the ground. I have good aim and he got a solid hit to the head but he didn't run away. It was just about dark so we had a stand off until he got up on top of the coop where he sleeps. For those of you with rooster experience, is he turning into a jerk? Or just a random moment of aggresssion?

Did you do or wear something different ? Had the flock recently been threatened by a predator ? Odd for a mature rooster to change temperament like that, but I would keep an eye on him. Don't let this behavior escalate.

I agree it's odd for a rooster to change like that if he's mature and never given you an issue before. I have a 3 year old rooster that's never once attacked me or acted agressive. I'm always around him and his hens and I pet his girls and he doesn't ever mind me. Sounds like he felt threatened by you or wanted to show his dominance.

 

[christwodog]

I was doing the usual early evening check on the chickens, they were still free ranging so I was just relaxing nearby, waiting for them to go into the coop. Nothing out of the ordinary, no predator threats that I know of. I hope he doesn't try to make a habit of this. The peacock was around, eating scratch with the hens, but he's there every night - everyone gets along fine.

 

[Pensmaster]

My rooster, Kono, is almost two years old. He has never acted aggressively towards me, but yesterday, out of nowhere, he came up behind me and spurred the crap out of my leg! Of course, I was wearing shorts (it was 85 yesterday) and have two bloody cuts on my leg! What gives? Is this likely to continue? I yelled at him and threw the only thing I could grab, which was a starfruit that was on the ground. I have good aim and he got a solid hit to the head but he didn't run away. It was just about dark so we had a stand off until he got up on top of the coop where he sleeps. For those of you with rooster experience, is he turning into a jerk? Or just a random moment of aggresssion?

Had the same thing with same age rooster happen last week. Only it was just a hit and I had jeans on. Wasn’t sure if it was him as I was collecting eggs at the time. Next night I was ready for him. He came on a charge. Got a good boot in and he backed off. Now he runs when I come in. I’m usually very careful around all my roosters this one was the most calm of all. Not anymore.

 

[Farm Gurl]

Had a friend tell me her rooster got upset when she changed the routine. He wanted water, then food, then she could gather the eggs lol. Must have been something that upset him.

 

[ashlierami]

Had a friend tell me her rooster got upset when she changed the routine. He wanted water, then food, then she could gather the eggs lol. Must have been something that upset him.

That's kinda funny in glad my roo isn't that picky with how things are done. He's very patient and waits for me to fix the food and water.

 

[christwodog]

I've been racking my brain to figure out what could have set him off like that. Can't come up with anything, I wasn't even near the hens or the coop. He has acted unfriendly towards hubs on a couple of occasions, but never an actual attack. My husband thought he was going to get spurred once, so he took the offensive and threw a large stick at Kono and Kono wisely retreated. But never any hint of aggression with me ever!

 

[chickens really]

Hello..Things in our behaviour animals pick up on..Did you have any alcohol at all?..Don't be offended please.
Don't ever be rushed or turn your back to him..Have him respect your space and get him moving away before you continue your chores in the Coop..

 

[bobbi-j]

Did you do or wear something different ? Had the flock recently been threatened by a predator ? Odd for a mature rooster to change temperament like that, but I would keep an eye on him. Don't let this behavior escalate.

Agreed.

I was doing the usual early evening check on the chickens, they were still free ranging so I was just relaxing nearby, waiting for them to go into the coop. Nothing out of the ordinary, no predator threats that I know of. I hope he doesn't try to make a habit of this. The peacock was around, eating scratch with the hens, but he's there every night - everyone gets along fine.

I would watch him closely from now on. As in, don't trust him at all. If he continues this behavior, and if you want to try to reset his thinking, you could try this method from member Beekissed:

Here's a post written by Beekissed regarding dealing with problem birds of any gender.

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.