Aggressive rooster and small children, really need some answers asap

[Andi-N-drew]

We just purchased a rooster a few weeks ago, we only have a flock of 5 hens. When we first brought him home and for the first week or so he was wonderful. He seemed very sweet and gentle. Starting about a week ago he started attacking my smallest girl, he tried to attack my oldest girl who's job it is to feed them in the morning. She tells me he only did it once and I wasnt aware he was going after her. I thought it was only the smallest, who is 3 and I've had a rooster who did this before. We quickly got rid of that one. But I thought it may just be her small size, so I havnt left her alone with this one because of it . Well, now this rooster is also attacking me anytime I go into the coop. He grabbed my sleeve this morning and left a red mark on my wrist. I'm scared to enter the coop and so are my girls.
Obviously, we cant have this. My question is, is there anything that can be done to change this? Or do we simply need to get rid of him? He's a beautiful rooster and seemed great in the beginning, but no matter how beautiful or sweet I will not have a rooster that attacks. My girls, or myself. The first one he did it to was the smallest like I said, and I had to get aggressive with him and shove him away so I'm guessing he's attacking me now because I'm a threat?

 

[Lilalienangel]

I raised my roo from birth so the dynamics might be different and it might be exceptionally hard to do this. However, when my roo gets uppity for no good reason I hold him upside down in my arms a good 20 minutes while walking around. The first time it was a bit of a fight. I had to physically restrain his legs. The other times he learned to just take it. After about 4 times he hasn't bitten me or my 5 year old. Quick action is required too. It was tough to let my 5 year old take care of her own bloody bite. However, chickens have the mentality of 3 year olds. You have to get them right after the occurrence or you are just being mean. No fear. They sence it. First it signals you aren't safe plus it lets them think they can get one over on you.. So no fear that is super important..

 

[Lilalienangel]

You have to do something though. If you don't it will only encourage the behavior and it will get worse.. As demonstrated. Your to tested the waters with the smallest. It worked. Moving on up he is.. I also told my daughter it is ok to put her foot on the chicken and push it. Not kick but push it as hard as she can.. My birds are therapy chickens. I have found if done right they can also be great confidence builders. It makes my 5 year old feel good to back off the roo without help...

 

[Andi-N-drew]

I raised my roo from birth so the dynamics might be different and it might be exceptionally hard to do this. However, when my roo gets uppity for no good reason I hold him upside down in my arms a good 20 minutes while walking around. The first time it was a bit of a fight. I had to physically restrain his legs. The other times he learned to just take it. After about 4 times he hasn't bitten me or my 5 year old. Quick action is required too. It was tough to let my 5 year old take care of her own bloody bite. However, chickens have the mentality of 3 year olds. You have to get them right after the occurrence or you are just being mean. No fear. They sence it. First it signals you aren't safe plus it lets them think they can get one over on you.. So no fear that is super important..

Yea, I've definately been weary today and yesterday so he probably does know. He was standing at the door of the run this morning when we came near almost as if waiting to attack.
Completely upside down? Like by the feet? Or kind of cradled upside down like a baby?

 

[Lilalienangel]

I cradled mine like a baby. However, this is my boy I have handled from birth. You may have to hang him by the feet..

 

[Lilalienangel]

I really think my boy doesn't want to actually hurt me. I can't say the same for yours..

 

[Andi-N-drew]

I cradled mine like a baby. However, this is my boy I have handled from birth. You may have to hang him by the feet..

I'll have to give that a try.

I really think my boy doesn't want to actually hurt me. I can't say the same for yours..

We never had a problem with the ones we raised from birth so i agree he's probably not. I'm guessing this guy got spooked somehow after being here about a week and then got a aggressive. I've definately pushed him back, held my shoe out at him lol and gave him a little pat on the bottom the first few times it happened ( just to clarify I did not hit him, just patted him). I was wondering if that's why hes attacking me now? Because now I'm a threat. I was also wondering if it's a territory thing, if he just doesnt want us coming in HIS run with HIS hens? He seems good with the hens, he was very tolerant of them pecking him and teasing him when he got here.
The only rooster we've had in the past that had this behavior...did not stay. So I have zero experience training it out of them if you can.

 

[Andi-N-drew]

I'll have to give that a try.


We never had a problem with the ones we raised from birth so i agree he's probably not. I'm guessing this guy got spooked somehow after being here about a week and then got a aggressive. I've definately pushed him back, held my shoe out at him lol and gave him a little pat on the bottom the first few times it happened ( just to clarify I did not hit him, just patted him). I was wondering if that's why hes attacking me now? Because now I'm a threat. I was also wondering if it's a territory thing, if he just doesnt want us coming in HIS run with HIS hens? He seems good with the hens, he was very tolerant of them pecking him and teasing him when he got here.
The only rooster we've had in the past that had this behavior...did not stay. So I have zero experience training it out of them if you can.

I'm pretty bummed about it because he seemed so sweet and gentle and I was very grateful he was like that tobnot have to worry about it with the children.

 

[LaFleche]

As soon as there are children endangered by an aggressive rooster I would not even try to 'rehabilitate' him.

 

[Andi-N-drew]

As soon as there are children endangered by an aggressive rooster I would not even try to 'rehabilitate' him.

Yep, I totally get that. It's only been a few weeks so I may end up contacting the guy I got him from and giving him back, refund or not. I was just so hopeful because at first he seemed SOOOO sweet I called him sweet pea.