Aggressive rooster

[TTownChics]

So we had 2 roosters. One would put his wing down and charge at me. He left my husband alone and never did anything to me. We made him dinner. I had another rooster who was the submissive one and now, less than a week later, he is starting. Chasing the hens away, wing down, eye balling me. Last time i tried to pick him up he bite me hard and i am not sure i can actually catch him.

Is he seeing me as a threat? A hen that won't submit? We didnt want to eat this one if we can avoid it. I read the article on dealing with them but i am not sure i can actually pick him up or have him not peck at me when i am holding him. He has gotten a lotof confidence since the other one is gone and finally started crowing. The worst part is that I am the one that did most of the cleaning, feeding etc and i always talked to them so I am bummed.

 

[GitaBooks]

That is a sign of dominance, but putting one wing down is not a sign of aggression (at least not always). It is a special dance roosters do for hens to show off that they are strong. They spin around the hen, kick their foot, and make a funny sound. Dominator, my rooster, use to do that to me when he was a teen, but he has since stopped and is a great rooster.

I hope this helps. Best of luck!

 

[TTownChics]

So what is the right way for me to act? I am a little gun shy since my other one charged me

 

[GitaBooks]

People suggest a variety of things. Some people pin their roosters down or some other way to show their dominance, like chasing them off a breeding hen, and I hear this works well.
However, I just ignored Dominator, gave him his space for a while. He learned that I let him keep his hens without challenging him and we learned to respect one another. He doesn't like to be held, but he doesn't attack or bite. He comes running for treats and trusts me to protect his ladies.

 

[SkyWorld]

Is it possible that the rooster is not sure if you, the person, is another rooster, ie: a threat to his domain, of just another hen to put in line? Has anyone taken a hose to a rooster and doused him good or giving the rooster a dunking or bath? I can't have a rooster given my city codes, but I do enjoy a good rooster story. Roosters that I have seen here on Backyard make me wish I could move to place with more space and laws that allow for a rooster. Hope things work out for you TTownChicks.

 

[mommahen85]

I've had one charge me. I bought six 'HEN' chicks well 3 were males. So I had now choice but to take two out. I had them in a run with 8 Cornish hens. I guess being brought up together they didn't know any better? But I have no problems with them. My other male on the other hand started to charge at us. I went to change water and he did it so I sprayed him with the hose. Now I just carry an extra nozzle with me and he'll get away and be a good boy. Haven't had to show it in a while.

 

[TTownChics]

Thank you everyone! I hope he will be able to stay.

 

[Folly's place]

Maybe he'll turn out well, maybe not. When you are out there, wear jeans and shoes, not shorts and sandals, so if things go badly, you won't be so injured. Walk through him, never around. Don't let him 'dance' for you, or mount the hens anywhere close to you. He can also crow, but not close to you. You aren't charging him, just doing your thing, and expecting everyone to respect your space and move out of your way. He can watch you, but only to get out of your space. You can pick up any bird, and no matter how annoyed she is, he still doesn't charge you. If he's young, you can try to pick him up and hold him for a while if he attacks, but in my experience, human aggressive roosters only get nastier, not better, and need to be dinner! Mary

 

[TTownChics]

Ok so, I was a bit gunshy i think. He is a good rooster, calls the hens over when I give food or treats. He did peck my feet yesterday (the ONE day I wear sandals...), ouch. So today, I wore jeans and boots and he gave me my space and sometimes came close, eyed me and then pecked my foot...walked away and did it again. Since I had boots on, I didn't care. I ignored him but did purposefully walk through him a few times and he pecked my foot every time. I pushed him out of the way gently with my foot. He isn't charging me. I did pick up one of the hens on purpose and carried her around and he got a bit agitated but just watched me. I told him she was mine, not his.

Am I doing the right things? He is young, about 5months now and maturing and growing into his role as head rooster.

 

[Folly's place]

Good work! Time will tell; some mellow out, and some will turn into real jerks in spring. Keep doing what you've started, and watch him. I've currently got two adult roosters, perfectly polite, and about fifteen juveniles. I'm walking through them and observing behavior daily. In another month or six weeks, some will be going, then by spring I'll know who gets to stay here. Mary