Aggression in Roosters--Is it Genetic?

[wolf-deer88]

He is in a fairly large pen, and I was trying to let him out in the morning until he started attacking.

I'll do that next time, thanks. I don't really wanna do that, but it's better than killing him.

If that is the case, I'll get him some gentle hens to pair with him.

Thank you so much for replying! It's much appreciated!!!

 

[Lizzy733]

I think a lot of it really is showing them that when you're there, they are not the boss. That being said, two of my cockerels are hen feathered... But I started discipline early in the brooder when the boys ran up to chest bump my hand. Instead of smashing them around, I get them by the legs and hang them upside down till they submit. The behavior quickly settled and they stopped playing at that really quickly and it didn't seem to hurt my relationship with them either. Always gave them a good cuddle after to try and dispell any ill will.
At around 10 weeks, I started enforcing the meter rule, meaning they weren't allowed to approach me any closer than this without my calling them over. This was done with a gentle boot shove and they didn't like it (bit of hurt feelings, I think), but eventually learned to respect and give me my space. I also have a command I only use when they're crowding doors and feeders which means I need space (beep beep). All the animals are pretty good at understanding it except for one stubborn little piglet who gets too excited around mealtime.
Afterward, since I had 3 roos to 8 hens, they got set up in a bachelor pen out of sight of any girls.
So far, no aggression from any of them and I can pick them up to cart them where I need with little protest. I've done a few test minglings with the girls, but I've raised some bashful boys. My preferred roo does a bit of dancing, but no mounting as of yet.
So, so far, my little men have stayed non-aggressive and hoping to keep the trend up. They should be in their hormonal teen stage now, and I haven't noticed any differences in their behavior towards me specifically.

One thing I will say, is never run or back down. This is the case with all animals. You get bit, they draw blood? Just take it and calmly extract them while making the experience uncomfortable for them. Pulling away quickly reinforces the behavior. - I bite you, you go away... Definitely not a pattern of behavior you want to condone through your actions. Armor up if you need to with some leather or anti-puncture gloves (though I find my birds have a bit of an irrational fear of gloves for some reason), high gumboots etc.
They should see you as a helper and the bringer of good things who has rights to all the hens before them.

 

[wolf-deer88]

Wow, I'mma let you train my roo! LOL, kidding.

Gotcha. Fun, fun!