Aggressive rooster attacked my sister! What should I do?

[Gracechickengurl2011]

Thank you for all your different opinions. I hope I can find a solution with what '2 chicks n a roo' said again I really appreciate everyones thoughts on this. I have only been raising chickens for roughly 6 years so I still don't know alot.

 

[2 chiks n a roo]

I have a beautiful and seriously aggressive Blue Cochin Bantam rooster. Years of trying to befriend him have failed.

My solution was to move Billy into a smaller coop and run with two full-sized hens who had recently lost their full-sized rooster. They hold their own with him, and he is no longer free to take out his aggression on me.

He tidbits for them and his romantic dancing likely amuses them, since he's much less rooster than his nice predecessor.

I rehomed a previous aggressive rooster who now lives with a veterinarian in her rooster flock.

Killing roosters has never been an option for me. And, after spending countless dollars on poultry at the vet's office, I no longer eat chicken. I know I'm in the minority, but my choices work for me.

I hear ya. I've just had 2 retired no longer laying hens accepted into a sanctuary to spend the rest of whatever time they have left, grubbing bugs and sunbathing

It sounds like he's got some boots to fill.. did you get Billy as a chick or adult?
Kind of doing some personal research on chickens. Part of it is for my veterinary nurse certificates which I plan to specialise in chickens.
I got Rhodey at 2 months old, he had been an incubator chick but unhandled until I got him.. he became a new toy to spend time with and I never get tired of watching him.

 

[Gracechickengurl2011]

I have also done a thing where you catch the roo and pin his head down and his rear end kind of like when he gets on a hen. It is supposed to show dominance but it helped alot.

 

[2 chiks n a roo]

I have also done a thing where you catch the roo and pin his head down and his rear end kind of like when he gets on a hen. It is supposed to show dominance but it helped alot.

I did that once, it had very little affect, I could almost see him laughing at me as he ran away.

Study him, take your time and let him learn 'who you are' it's not all about just looking after them, you obviously love him or you wouldn't be trying to find a way to get rid of the aggression. Persevere and it'll happen. It just takes time

 

[Gracechickengurl2011]

Thank you I guess it's just different roos then but I am definitely going to do what you said

 

[RossAcres]

Either rehome him or send him to the freezer. I breed to the SOP and don't tolerate agression in my breeding programs. I just had a cockerel that I had to rehome due to his agression.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

it takes time and compassion.
Roosters are proud protectors and are designed to defend their brood so when Anyone or anything feels threatening they Will attack. It's no different from a parent standing up for their children or partner when they're threatened, or a dog defending it's family from an intruder. Anyone who thinks a rooster being aggressive should be destroyed or abused, is obviously someone who doesn't give a toss about the bird. And definitely doesn't have any respect for them.

Before getting your sister to go out to your roo, assess his space, what's there as a barrier, not for any reason other than for him and yourselves to grow to understand each other. All animals need boundaries, and if there are none of any kind, it allows them to be boss, that forces you as the carer to respect His space but he doesn't have to respect you as the intruder. Create a boundary, whether it be a fence, a harness with tether (these are great when grass is sparse or they fly over fences) let him learn you're no threat by getting down to his level. I've learnt that eye contact is extremely important to a rooster, they Look at you. When they're relaxed and comfortable, you can see it in their eyes, posture and the way they breathe. He'll gently spread his wings airing himself without feeling threatened. When they stand tall and do it, it's a warning.
Take note of the clothes you wear around him, if he starts looking agitated, he doesn't like it, as I said in my reply to you, I wear the same clothes around Rhodey All the time, he doesn't mind some changes but bootcut jeans, it's a hell no!
The first time I had no sleeves around him, he flipped his lid thinking he was being threatened until I picked him up and gently rubbed his comb, they like that by the way. And under their wattles.
Once you're completely aware of how you act, communicate and what you wear around your rooster/s teach your sister to mimic you. Learn your Roo's an the girls chatter, mimic the sounds and say them back. It will take a bit of time, but when you both understand your Roo's, they'll respect both of you.
They are 'one person ' birds tho, so it may not change, but as I said, respect is earned, so you'll have to earn his trust first.. the respect will follow and once you've got it, it'll stay for life

I’m sorry, but it is not respect when anyone or anything including an animal is determining what you wear, how you act, how you talk, how you walk and if you don’t do what they want they attack you. That is the very definition of an abusive relationship no matter what the species the relationship is between. An animal that truly respects you does not ever come into your space unless you are allowing it nor do they threaten you unless you are acting like an active threat…and no bootcut jeans or the wrong shoes are not active threats. I had an ex who started to act like that too and he became an ex real quick. I don’t tolerate that behavior from any male any species. Let me give you an example, I am a horse person. My favorite horses to work with are the completely unhandled ones because they have not been allowed to have bad habits reinforced. I can take a horse from acting like a wild child and with a little work turn it into a respectful, calm and willing beautiful being. No whips, no physical force, because most of what I do is based off of understanding each other’s body language. I have people refer to what I do as “breaking” and I tell them “I don’t need to break a horse I just need them to trust me”. However, if I spend all of this time working with a horse and it still is acting aggressive then that horse does not respect me at all. I have watched people get seriously injured by horses that were “trained”, but never taught mutual respect and those are the ones that are even more dangerous than a wild horse. Because by catering to the poor behavior and giving into the demands you are actually reinforcing that the bad behavior is acceptable. When training any animal your “yes” behavior must always be a yes and your “no” behavior must always be a no. Otherwise those lines between right and wrong are blurred. When those lines get blurred that’s when an animal is the most dangerous. There is a big difference between an animal acting out of genuine fear and one being aggressive because they know you will sit there and take it.

 

[No Coop No Problem]

Once you're completely aware of how you act, communicate and what you wear around your rooster/s teach your sister to mimic you. Learn your Roo's an the girls chatter, mimic the sounds and say them back. It will take a bit of time, but when you both understand your Roo's, they'll respect both of you.

Clothing, movement, posture, noise are all irrelevant. Wearing the wrong color or making the wrong motion does not justify violent behavior

Kindness deserves kindness. Only violence deserves violence. If your rooster treats your kindness with violence then that's an abusive relationship, as the above poster wisely mentioned

My own roosters are perfect gentlemen, regardless of how we what we do or wear

 

[FrostRanger]

I’m sorry, but it is not respect when anyone or anything including an animal is determining what you wear, how you act, how you talk, how you walk and if you don’t do what they want they attack you. That is the very definition of an abusive relationship no matter what the species the relationship is between. An animal that truly respects you does not ever come into your space unless you are allowing it nor do they threaten you unless you are acting like an active threat…and no bootcut jeans or the wrong shoes are not active threats. I had an ex who started to act like that too and he became an ex real quick. I don’t tolerate that behavior from any male any species. Let me give you an example, I am a horse person. My favorite horses to work with are the completely unhandled ones because they have not been allowed to have bad habits reinforced. I can take a horse from acting like a wild child and with a little work turn it into a respectful, calm and willing beautiful being. No whips, no physical force, because most of what I do is based off of understanding each other’s body language. I have people refer to what I do as “breaking” and I tell them “I don’t need to break a horse I just need them to trust me”. However, if I spend all of this time working with a horse and it still is acting aggressive then that horse does not respect me at all. I have watched people get seriously injured by horses that were “trained”, but never taught mutual respect and those are the ones that are even more dangerous than a wild horse. Because by catering to the poor behavior and giving into the demands you are actually reinforcing that the bad behavior is acceptable. When training any animal your “yes” behavior must always be a yes and your “no” behavior must always be a no. Otherwise those lines between right and wrong are blurred. When those lines get blurred that’s when an animal is the most dangerous. There is a big difference between an animal acting out of genuine fear and one being aggressive because they know you will sit there and take it.

Exactly this. Such controlling behavior shouldn't be tolerated from human or animal. I go out to tend to or hang out with my birds in whatever I happen to have on at the moment. Whether that's pajamas, my gym clothes, street clothes or my work uniform. They all know it's me no matter what I'm wearing and are happy to see me and gather around to mooch for treats. The only reactions I get regarding my clothes are a bird lightly pecking at a button or a pattern on the off chance it's food or them using me as a convenient napkin to wipe their beaks lol. Chickens may not be the world's smartest animals but they're not dumb either, They know it's you even if you change your clothes. If a bird actually dislikes your outfit the acceptable response is to move away from you, not choose violence. Human aggression should never be tolerated ESPECIALLY when there are kids around. It's one thing to work with an aggressive animal if you're the only one that's going to be around it but as soon as kids are involved all bets are off. Children should not be expected to deal with an aggressive animal and the consequences for them getting attacked are much higher. Children have lost eyes from rooster attacks before. In this situation it is absolutely not safe to attempt to rehab this rooster

 

[oneoftheflock4]

Hey I’ve been working with an aggressive roooster and can empathize with the situation.

In my searching for advice there seems to be a spectrum of situations and perspectives on how to manage an aggressive rooster. I’m new at this and still learning but have some ideas now on the opposite end of kicking, culling and just throwing them in the pot

Roosters are the protectors of the flock. It’s essentially their job to be alert and protective of ‘threats.’ If they’re attacking people, it means they are seeing people as potential threats and not as safe or allies. They are being triggered by possibly mistrust, high stress, or maybe a health issue too.

One strategy is working on earning trust, teaching them you are safe and friends of theirs. That means absolutely no retaliation, kicking, serious punishing, etc.

Avoiding triggering them as much as possible to avoid conflict is another. Maybe they need more space? Less interaction? Slower walking near them? Gentle calm speaking?

My aggro rooster was triggered by simply seeing peoples legs and long pants and movement because he was getting kicked by his last keeper whenever he acted unpleasantly ‘roosterish’. He’s over stimulated and really likes to just have me sitting peacefully around them.

Helping to lower their stress as much as possible is another component. Always having access to food, fresh water, space. Treating them kindly. There are herbs that can help with calming too that you can sprinkle around too. My chickens seem to like singing and music lol.

You can also make a point to try and bond with them. As much as possible create positive interactions. Hand feeding treats. Talking nicely to them. Considering what your wearing around them for your own safety and for their anxiety. My rooster prefers me wearing fitted pants and sandals lol but if hes in a stressed mood I wear my thick Carharts and boots so I can take his kicks like the keeper he needs.

For me this effort pays off in that I can keep a stronger rooster around to protect and manage the flock, and I’ve had an opportunity to learn more about rooster behavior. I’ve seen his softer side, understand him better now and we’ve bonded.

Still have some work to do, still learning, and this isn’t necessarily the easy solution, but this is how I’m trying to manage it. Might not work for everyone but is another side to explore.

You can check out ‘Roovolution’ for more advice if this kind if approach interests you. They have videos on youtube and and online community.

Good luck!