Aggressive 4 week old Buff Orp Cockerel

[proudmommie31]

I have 18 chicks that are 4 weeks old. 17 pullets (***pretty sure that won't change but I leave room for surprise! lol) and 1 buff orp cockerel. This last week he's become a bit of a butt head. The 17 ladies will go chirping and screaming to the end of the brooder (where they quickly calm and a few brave ones come back to see what I am doing and rub on my hand), and he comes running over to peek furiously at my hand, sometimes attempting a hilarious jump attack. I usually first push him gently but firmly back (immediately) and if he returns even fiercer (which he does usually) I pick him. I firmly hold him and this seems to immediately both knock him down an peg and highly offend him It is both really amusing and at times annoying. SO my question is: is this normal behavior that can be worked through or is he gonna be looking at freezer camp? I want to think it's great hes already starting to come to the defense of the screaming other chicks but I'm not sure if this is normal development or a red flag for a dude that's gonna need freezer rehab?????

 

[The Moonshiner]

It is not normal behavior and honestly it's probably very rare behavior.
He sounds more like a jerk cockerel of 4 months old rather then 4 weeks old.
I don't believe in trying to rehab jerk cockerels/roosters and don't believe it works long term anyways.
To be acting like this at a month old he is an exceptionally aggressive cockerel.
Freezer camp for sure and if he was mine I wouldn't put up with keeping him another day.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

It’s a chick,no biggie.By pushing him around it will likely stop the behavior.I would also peck his back when he attacks,that’s usually how adults let chciks know their place isn’t he order.Work out with him and he may end up Actually being a good boy,after al he is a chick.

 

[The Moonshiner]

It’s a chick,no biggie.By pushing him around it will likely stop the behavior.I would also peck his back when he attacks,that’s usually how adults let chciks know their place isn’t he order.Work out with him and he may end up Actually being a good boy,after al he is a chick.

Ya he's just a chick. No biggie. Until he gets biggie. Then they'll have an aggressive adult rooster.
Many well behaved nonaggressive cockerels die everyday because there isn't homes for them. Why save an @hole cockerel when you can save a good one?

 

[proudmommie31]

I don't mind trying the pecking to see if he'll learn his place. He came right over this time and just stood there, even when i petted him for a second. I don't have any issue culling a aggressive rooster, our first flock we ended up doing just that, even though he was my favorite, cause he got mighty aggressive with the ladies. But he was months older. This little guy might have a chance if he's quick to learn his spot. Below me lol. Thanks for your responses, I'll keep an eye on him. We've only had cockerels twice. Last time they were calm til they hit around 4 months or so. I just wasn't sure if this was to be expected or not really.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

It’s normal for roosters to chase and grab and mate hens,they have to learn.If you don’t like you should Seperate him till his teen months are over,release at about nine maybe ten months.This also may help keep him from going bonkers and attacking you.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I had two Black Australorps like that recently, they were terrorizing the pullets by six weeks. At eight weeks I had enough and re-homed them. They went to a bachelor pad at a friends house. They were much happier and so were my pullets.

 

[proudmommie31]

Right now his saving grace is he is nice to the ladies lol. He doesn’t terrorize them at all. I’ll watch him closely. Little stinker.

 

[aart]

I don't think it's too abnormal.....tho very well could be shades of what's to come.
Most cockerel chicks are more assertive.
Do they all have lots of space?

 

[JDN]

Right now his saving grace is he is nice to the ladies lol. He doesn’t terrorize them at all. I’ll watch him closely. Little stinker.

Everyone has their own set of priorities...But someone once told me that the jerkface rooster is usually the first to sacrifice himself for the good of the flock when old Mr. Coon or Weasel or stray dog come to visit...