Aggressive Rooster

[lazy gardener]

Quote: Sorry if my comment was not clear, I was implying that IF he does not settle down, and IF he continues to show signs of aggression, THEN, he should not be used as a breeder. What are his SONS like? I'm glad he's working out for you.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Actually, it's quite funny that you say he should not be bred. I have some of his babies and they are perfect little angel hens. He wasn't always mean, but felt threatened when my friend was kicking at something frozen in the ground and was never the same. I live an a rural area, so I can have roosters, and I have in the past but they have always been banties. I started working with him a little bit today and he already seems to have calmed down quite a bit. He was biting and fighting when I would pick him up, but now he will patiently sit on myour lap. So far, things are going pretty well. Thanks for the tips everyone!

I would be biting and fighting if some giant predator just picked me up to. So that was probably a natural response to the situation.

I agree he is in new territory. And probably contribute to the excess crowing. I would give it a chance to calm down... but if it were a real problem would probably cull before using the collar.

And I would expect some short term uproar among the flock as it's new for them to.

Banty roosters can be just as nasty.... they are just smaller so do less damage.

Keep us posted how it goes.... and a pic wouldn't upset me either!

 

[bobbi-j]

So, he just got here last night, and he does seem very protective already. When you pick him up he bites, and he gets very defensive when you walk near him. He also never stops crowing. This may just be because he is new here, and he was taken away from his old hens, so I will give him some time to settle in before I try a no crow collar.

If you just got him last night, it's natural that he'd be defensive when you come near him. I would suggest not picking him up or trying to get near him, but go about your business with the flock, and keep Bee's advice in mind. Keep a slender branch, cane, or whatever near you and school him if he shows the slightest sign of aggression - giving you the stink eye, coming toward you, stomping his feet at you... anything. You may even want to start this before he begins any dominant behaviors, just to let him know it's not an option. And, as LG suggested, IF he doesn't get the message, and IF he continues to be aggressive or gets worse, I would put him in the freezer.

 

[EmmC]

If you just got him last night, it's natural that he'd be defensive when you come near him. I would suggest not picking him up or trying to get near him, but go about your business with the flock, and keep Bee's advice in mind. Keep a slender branch, cane, or whatever near you and school him if he shows the slightest sign of aggression - giving you the stink eye, coming toward you, stomping his feet at you... anything. You may even want to start this before he begins any dominant behaviors, just to let him know it's not an option. And, as LG suggested, IF he doesn't get the message, and IF he continues to be aggressive or gets worse, I would put him in the freezer. 

I have already taken previous advice and started his training right away. He is already doing much better. I have just been sitting out there with him and doing things that make him a little nervous and then showing him that it's fine for me to do them. For example, picking up the hens. He is already protective of them, so he got upset when I would get near them. So I just was holding one of the hens and if he decided to be aggressive I would just stand up and he would retreat. He had one hissy fit when he felt like I was cornering him in the coop, but that was my fault.

 

[dekel18042]

Actually, it's quite funny that you say he should not be bred. I have some of his babies and they are perfect little angel hens. He wasn't always mean, but felt threatened when my friend was kicking at something frozen in the ground and was never the same. I live an a rural area, so I can have roosters, and I have in the past but they have always been banties. I started working with him a little bit today and he already seems to have calmed down quite a bit. He was biting and fighting when I would pick him up, but now he will patiently sit on myour lap. So far, things are going pretty well. Thanks for the tips everyone!

Just be careful letting him sit on your lap. It's something I wouldn't do. I've known several people who loved that their "lap" rooster would sit on their lap and eventually all wound up being attacked by their "pet". Not good per centages at all.

 

[EmmC]

Just be careful letting him sit on your lap.  It's something I wouldn't do.  I've known several people who loved that their "lap" rooster would sit on their lap and eventually all wound up being attacked by their "pet".  Not good per centages at all.

Ok, good to know

 

[Folly's place]

A bird in my lap is way too close to my face and eyes!!! 'Friendly' cockerels are bold boys, who may well turn into human aggressive jerks, sometimes even with very good management. Mismanaged, the odds of having a disrespectful and dangerous cock increase. Good roosters are wonderful, 'man fighters' aren't. Mary

 

[HonaHelp]

Thank you for this info. Post #41 is beautiful to read.....
We have a ton to learn, have just started in raising chickens, and are nuts about them already.....
seem to have THREE boys out of four hona chicks...so we must rehome---
or learn rooster training... quick.....

 

[HonaHelp]

Sorry...I meant to type POST # 21 is beautiful to read...much good info....

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Sorry...I meant to type POST # 21 is beautiful to read...much good info....

Ah, so you did enjoy it!

You will need to rehome your extra boys and train the one or two you are keeping. They will mate your single pullet to death if you try to keep them all without separation. Once they reach that age, they are all about chasing tail! And they will hold her down and take turns mating her over and over. Yes, I learned very fast that I needed a stag pen if keeping boys past that age, which hits at different rates for different breeds.

Are you considering getting more pullets somehow? That helps.