2 yr old rooster has gone psycho

[silky ma]

I live in a cul de sac and TECHNICALLY I am not allowed to process and animal. We really do not have an established ordinance here in Rancho Cordova Ca so while the authorities have known for years I have chickens they do not bother me or my other neighbors that have since added their own flocks. The few that I have had to cul were dear to my heart, silkies are about as much meat as squab and not worth the trouble eating. Its hard enough to cull a buddy but eat them is not in my heart. We are looking to get land up north and if it works out then I will have eating chickens.

 

[Gingersnap722]

Gotcha, I didn't realize all of yours were silkies.

 

[6of6chicks]

Is the issue not that this cockerel has suddenly turned aggressive from being very affectionate?
Shouldn't that be a concern as it would if a pet dog suddenly turned on you and attacked you?
There wasn't any reason for the attack I don't think, it just turned aggressive, and stayed that way
Is there any benefit in having chickens as pets if you can't socialise and enjoy being with them
The owners enjoyment is important too, and if that owner doesn't have the skills to calm the cockerel
I think she needs to find an alternative

Just curious - and will admit this post was where I stopped reading to ask this question - but I'm looking at this from a dog owner perspective. If one of my dogs suddenly turned on me and attacked me, after NO previous aggressive behavior - my first thought would be medical and we'd be taking a trip to the vet to rule out any diseases. My dogs have all their shots and are highly trained/socialized, so any sudden behavioral change would be an immediate red flag for a possible illness.

Can that happen with chickens? There are loads of medical reasons why dogs can turn aggressive - everything from rabies to thyroid problems. Are there chicken-equivalent diseases? Common illnesses where sudden aggression is actually a symptom? I realize that in the OP's case there were behavioral signs (recognized or not) indicating a long-term problem - and that's a breeding/temperament thing. I'm just asking about chicken illnesses/aggression because I'm new to chickens and know that I would probably miss any behavior/warning signs because I'm simply not knowledgeable enough about chickens (yet!).

 

[kubotafoot]

Just curious - and will admit this post was where I stopped reading to ask this question - but I'm looking at this from a dog owner perspective. If one of my dogs suddenly turned on me and attacked me, after NO previous aggressive behavior - my first thought would be medical and we'd be taking a trip to the vet to rule out any diseases. My dogs have all their shots and are highly trained/socialized, so any sudden behavioral change would be an immediate red flag for a possible illness.

Can that happen with chickens? There are loads of medical reasons why dogs can turn aggressive - everything from rabies to thyroid problems. Are there chicken-equivalent diseases? Common illnesses where sudden aggression is actually a symptom? I realize that in the OP's case there were behavioral signs (recognized or not) indicating a long-term problem - and that's a breeding/temperament thing. I'm just asking about chicken illnesses/aggression because I'm new to chickens and know that I would probably miss any behavior/warning signs because I'm simply not knowledgeable enough about chickens (yet!).

I had a wonderful 10 year old rooster who we got at age 4 because we were told he was past his prime..... He came with 4 older ladies who were still laying, but he adored them and they adored him. As we added to the flock I soon found out past his prime meant "shooting blanks." Didn't bother us, as we didn't want to breed and he was wonderful as a teacher. One day, when he was 8 or 9, and the temps outside were in the upper 90's and very humid, he came over to me as I was filling the water jugs and gently pecked my leg. I was shocked at his behavior! He'd never shown anything but love to everyone, firm and tough love, but love. He looked up at me and it was as if to ask, "Can't you do something about this weather?" I told him, I could not control the weather and we'd all have to live through it. We did, and he never pecked me again, but some time severe changes in weather can bring about an attitude change, but nothing like to posts I am reading here. Be firm and consistent from day one! Tough love rules. I am the king of the barnyard, but he can be king of the flock. If they change and turn....kill them. It is safer for all and a nice crock pot dinner is always welcomed here.

 

[marlishama]

There are genetics at play, no doubt... but if we're going to compare dogs and chickens remember it's not uncommon for dogs to "test" owners with aggressive behaviour, particularly involving food/toys. That doesn't make them immediately cull-worthy. We need to be able to read body language and signs of all creatures we keep as livestock/pets and nip behaviour in the bud before it becomes a problem.

I have a lovely, handreared roo who has never offered even feather-fluffing at me...but he went through a period of aggression with my 9 year old daughter. It started after she and a friend found it "funny" to entice the bird to chase them (I believe he was initially chasing the friend as she was a stranger). I did not see this happening. A short while later I hear piercing screams. The bird was chasing them around the yard and even after they climbed a fence to escape, he flew up and walked the top of the fence to reach them. They got a talking to and my daughter got some lessons about re-establishing her status with the bird. This involved reasonably gentle kicks if he came at her, and her turning the tables and chasing him. All is well again. He is 19 months old.

Having said that, I have another rooster who has not had the same amount of time spent with him. He has cowardly attacked my legs when my back is turned. Both times he felt the end of my foot (and NO I am not injuring these birds!) and I pointedly chased him around. I now make a point of walking "at" him when I go into the coop. He keeps his distance now but I don't entirely trust him. I don't feel I have to keep him in my sight but I stay aware of what he's doing. Since I have a good and calm rooster who has given me wonderful hatch rates, I am waiting for my husband to do the deed because I'm too soft to do it myself.

 

[subhanalah]

The  only rooster I will have is a Silky. 7 out of 10 roos will be sweet  into their old age and quite trainable if taken to task as youngsters. I have found the best way to cull is  1-2 hours after the sun goes down. I once culled a sick hen during the day and another saw me and no one wanted anything to do with me for a week. The little  witch ratted me out to her flock mates. If done at night  those to be culled are quiet and I make sure to not say a word. I get everything ready prior to doing the deed. In the morning
everyone acts like  its a new day and I am not looked at like an axe murderer.

Lol!  I still have to learn how to cull, but thanks for letting me know I need to do it in the evening and out of eyesight of my hens.

don't you kind of think it's torture to kill an animal in front of its flock mates?
They get scared and stirred up with a predator attack, why wouldn't watching you kill their mate be the same...but worse because they trusted you.

In my belief system, we don't believe in slaughtering in front of other animals. We also don't believe in sharpening the knife in front of them either. Reminds me of what the Nazi's did to human beings not too long ago.

 

[Zentohen]

I had the same problem I would get anxious everytime I went down to the pen. He had to go and since he has gone the hens seem happier and they let me pick them up and pat them now. Peace has returned. I did feel guilty originally but got over it ok. Friend took him to feed to his snakes.

 

[Gingersnap722]

don't you kind of think it's torture to kill an animal in front of its flock mates?
They get scared and stirred up with a predator attack, why wouldn't watching you kill their mate be the same...but worse because they trusted you.

In my belief system, we don't believe in slaughtering in front of other animals. We also don't believe in sharpening the knife in front of them either. Reminds me of what the Nazi's did to human beings not too long ago.

That's why I thanked her for letting me know about doing it in the evening away from the flock. Although I'm not sure they would understand the sharpening of a knife.

 

[subhanalah]

That's why I thanked her for letting me know about doing it in the evening away from the flock.  Although I'm not sure they would understand the sharpening of a knife. 

lol, I think they understand more than we give them credit for!

 

[Ganjaroo]

Thanks to everyone who has shared their rooster stories! All of the opinions and experience have helped me immensely. As of now, I remain unscathed by the feathered heathen, and am still in a 'wait and see' mode. After his day of psychotic behavior, my roo went back to his lovable, funny and feisty self. In fact, I just came in from the yard where he was sitting calmly on my lap just as he always has! Weird, to say the least.

The poster here who told the story of the yellow boots was interesting too. I've heard others say that their roos attacked them when they wore certain shoes or boots. This made me think.. I WAS wearing Crocs that day which I had never worn before, ..and everyone hates those. lol

It's not that I am dismissing all of you who insist he will do it again, .. and I'm aware that this could very well be the case. However, the simple fact is that I just love this roo too much to not give him another chance. Given the fact that there are no kids here, and I have no intentions of breeding him, PLUS the fact that he has saved my hens from numerous hawk attacks and he makes me laugh on a daily basis, ..I don't know, I just feel that I owe it to him.

Meanwhile, I will watch him closely, and hope for the best! If worse comes to worse though, ..I will do what I must. I have no intention of keeping an animal who is a threat to me, or to the other animals here. The fact that he let the cat steal his piece of cheese this morning and did nothing but stomp his foot and walk away in a huff, ..gives me hope as well.
Thanks again to everyone, and I'll keep you posted!