Aggressive roo

[Sharky6789]

My Red Ranger rooster was the sweetest chick but at 7 or 8 weeks he turned into the roo from hell. I used to enjoy hanging out with my backyard peeps while I did outdoor chores but now I have to carry a broom to hold him away from me. The challenge is to protect myself without hurting him. I have 3 Red Rangers and 3 Jersey Giants. The reds are larger than the blacks at this age. Only one Roo (and that's more than enough). At 6-7 months I'm getting an average of 4 eggs a day. Do roosters ever improve their personalities once their hormones settle down?
BTW, my flock are democrat chickens.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

My cockerels never really show interest in me at that age, but for some reason my cock is rearing up at me lately. What I do is catch him and carry him around for a while. Giving a bath or using a good old-fashioned hose works, too.

 

[AlleysChicks]

If you just want eggs you don't need a roo. If he's aggressive to you he needs to go. Sorry, but he'll end up hurting someone.

 

[Fanci Feathers Marans]

If you just want eggs you don't need a roo. If he's aggressive to you he needs to go. Sorry, but he'll end up hurting someone.

That's true. My Cock is not actually spurring me at this point. If he were, he would go.

 

[FLChickens]

I am not sure if this is the current advice, but it worked so well for me I always do it.

Are you training him to see you as dominant? I'd say it's probably harder once they start challenging you, but I had to do it with my first roo and it worked. I had raised him like a pet, which I am now of the opinion isn't good with Roos.

The best way I can explain what I do - act important and purposeful. Walk where you are going like everyone better get OUT of your way. Walk to a point beyond him, so that he's in your way. Act like you're going to walk right over the top of him if he doesn't move out of the way. (And hope he does ... mine always did.) Every once in a while, chase after him, let him run away, maybe chase him a few more times. It is always best, IMO, not to have to defend yourself but have him respect you from the first. Besides, I'm thinking if he's purely attacking and you're purely defending, he's probably just feeling even more like the boss. I had to scare the heck out of my beloved little Japanese Bantam when all 1.5 pounds of him decided he might be able to kill me ... and I had to teach him manners without hurting him too (tiny thing!), so the only way was to make him THINK I was going to hurt him.

Oh, I almost forgot. A few times I did pick him up and flip him over, holding him by the legs on the advice of chicken folks. I never liked doing it though, and was afraid I'd hurt him. His pride at having it done in front of the ladies seemed to be hurt, he'd sulk away and hide for a while, so maybe it was helpful.

But the walking thing accomplishes a lot. You might also bring a few select treats for the hens, but chase him away and not give him any. I know it sounds mean, but it gets the point across.

And if there's some new advice, I hope no one gets offended at what I've said. I know dog training goes through trends.

 

[Kiki]

You may find this post helpful if you decide to keep him:
#18

 

[Diva Chick Mom]

My Red Ranger rooster was the sweetest chick but at 7 or 8 weeks he turned into the roo from hell. I used to enjoy hanging out with my backyard peeps while I did outdoor chores but now I have to carry a broom to hold him away from me. The challenge is to protect myself without hurting him. I have 3 Red Rangers and 3 Jersey Giants. The reds are larger than the blacks at this age. Only one Roo (and that's more than enough). At 6-7 months I'm getting an average of 4 eggs a day. Do roosters ever improve their personalities once their hormones settle down?
BTW, my flock are democrat chickens.

Démocrate Chickens? Well!!!! Mine are Republican, Conservative Baptist Chickens!!!

 

[Sharky6789]

I am not sure if this is the current advice, but it worked so well for me I always do it.

Are you training him to see you as dominant? I'd say it's probably harder once they start challenging you, but I had to do it with my first roo and it worked. I had raised him like a pet, which I am now of the opinion isn't good with Roos.

The best way I can explain what I do - act important and purposeful. Walk where you are going like everyone better get OUT of your way. Walk to a point beyond him, so that he's in your way. Act like you're going to walk right over the top of him if he doesn't move out of the way. (And hope he does ... mine always did.) Every once in a while, chase after him, let him run away, maybe chase him a few more times. It is always best, IMO, not to have to defend yourself but have him respect you from the first. Besides, I'm thinking if he's purely attacking and you're purely defending, he's probably just feeling even more like the boss. I had to scare the heck out of my beloved little Japanese Bantam when all 1.5 pounds of him decided he might be able to kill me ... and I had to teach him manners without hurting him too (tiny thing!), so the only way was to make him THINK I was going to hurt him.

Oh, I almost forgot. A few times I did pick him up and flip him over, holding him by the legs on the advice of chicken folks. I never liked doing it though, and was afraid I'd hurt him. His pride at having it done in front of the ladies seemed to be hurt, he'd sulk away and hide for a while, so maybe it was helpful.

But the walking thing accomplishes a lot. You might also bring a few select treats for the hens, but chase him away and not give him any. I know it sounds mean, but it gets the point across.

And if there's some new advice, I hope no one gets offended at what I've said. I know dog training goes through trends

 

[MissNutmeg]

I am not sure if this is the current advice, but it worked so well for me I always do it.

Are you training him to see you as dominant? I'd say it's probably harder once they start challenging you, but I had to do it with my first roo and it worked. I had raised him like a pet, which I am now of the opinion isn't good with Roos.

The best way I can explain what I do - act important and purposeful. Walk where you are going like everyone better get OUT of your way. Walk to a point beyond him, so that he's in your way. Act like you're going to walk right over the top of him if he doesn't move out of the way. (And hope he does ... mine always did.) Every once in a while, chase after him, let him run away, maybe chase him a few more times. It is always best, IMO, not to have to defend yourself but have him respect you from the first. Besides, I'm thinking if he's purely attacking and you're purely defending, he's probably just feeling even more like the boss. I had to scare the heck out of my beloved little Japanese Bantam when all 1.5 pounds of him decided he might be able to kill me ... and I had to teach him manners without hurting him too (tiny thing!), so the only way was to make him THINK I was going to hurt him.

Oh, I almost forgot. A few times I did pick him up and flip him over, holding him by the legs on the advice of chicken folks. I never liked doing it though, and was afraid I'd hurt him. His pride at having it done in front of the ladies seemed to be hurt, he'd sulk away and hide for a while, so maybe it was helpful.

But the walking thing accomplishes a lot. You might also bring a few select treats for the hens, but chase him away and not give him any. I know it sounds mean, but it gets the point across.

And if there's some new advice, I hope no one gets offended at what I've said. I know dog training goes through trends.

I donned the thick leather gloves and gently pressed my rooster to the ground, holding him there till he relaxes. I noticed by doing this daily he seemed to become more and more tame. Now he will tolerate sitting on my lap. But there are a few occasions when he forgets himself and makes a streamline toward my legs. Lol!


~Meg

 

[Sharky6789]

Appreciate all the advice. I wasn't planning to get a male, they were supposed to be all hens. I know that dominant behavior works. My daughter and grandson can pull it off. I have poor balancing skills due to arthritic knees so I've been using the broom and hose. I'll try the feeding the hens while shooing him away though. He was 12 pounds a month ago - as big as a small turkey. I still have scars on my shins where that fiend pecked and scratched me.
I'm not very happy experienced with chickens but don't remember my parents having these problems. I hope he sees the error of his ways before I take drastic measures.